According to fast track procedures Los Angeles, seeing a gastroenterologist for a precolonoscopy consultation may unnecessarily add to the cost of the procedure.
There has been much criticism about the costs related to colonoscopy procedures, and it seems that by employing the “fast track” to the appropriate clients, the overall cost of colonoscopies can be greatly reduced.
Fast Track, also referred to as Open Access, allows clients that are sufficiently healthy to bypass the pre-operation consultation for colonoscopies. This feature allows patients to save both money and time and also ensures that they will schedule something that is potentially a life saving procedure.
Dr. Berookim, MD, FACG, offers Fast Track procedures (procedures without prior consultation) to make it more convenient for patients and to reduce their costs.
The gastroenterological doctor feels any way to reduce the price of colonoscopies and make the procedure more accessible is a necessary feature that the general public can greatly benefit from.
“Open–access endoscopes”, or the Fast Track procedure, which allow people to schedule endoscopies without having pre-screening office visits have existed in the U.S since the early 90s, however, there is little evidence to suggest that they are sufficiently utilized.
Studies show that on average, pre-colonoscopy screening visits end up costing the average patient upwards of $120, which could have been totally avoided. The study relevant to this finding was unable to determine if all of the office visits were unnecessary, however, it is safe to assume to a good portion of them were unnecessary.
With over 7 million colonoscopies being performed annually, the added cost per person adds up to a significant amount of money. Research suggests that a method for identifying which patients would benefit from a precolonoscopy doctor visit would ultimately save many people a significant amount of resources, including considerations of time and money.
For more information about the Fast Track procedure, please call Dr. Berookim at 310.271.1122.