5/28/2006 2:53:50 PM #

I am concerned that the recent decisions by some health insurance companies to NOT pay for anesthesia services during the performance of colonoscopies for screening in healthy individuals will result in many patients avoiding these tests.  I fear this will result in many delays in the diagnosis of colon cancer.

Pete Motolenich, MD

6/3/2006 11:38:02 AM #

Actually, payment for colonoscopy anesthesia is included in the fee for the procedure.  

Conscious sedation is included as part of the physician work in many procedures, and there is no reason that a patient should be denied acceptable anesthesia for a screening colonoscopy.

The committee that reviews this information is made up of doctors representing a number of medical specialty societies, which in turn makes recommendations to Medicare.

As a result, Medicare will not cover the services of an anesthesiologist.  However, there are still private insurers who will cover those services.

If you need further information, I would suggest you contact your medical specialty society or the AMA CPT department.

Len Lichtenfeld

11/2/2006 7:09:09 PM #

Looking for info on Sandoz Bicalutamide, a drug taken 10 days prior to taking Lupron!

Eleanor Lawrence

4/23/2007 11:44:21 AM #

I've had a partial colonoscopy without anesthesia.  It was so painful that I will not have a full colonoscopy unless I am absolutely put to sleep.  I am 51 (female) and in need of a colonoscopy, but I need to be assured by my doctor that I will not feel that awful pain in my stomach again.

Bobbie Costley

7/7/2007 8:22:40 AM #

May I suggest you publish the answers to each question submitted immediately following the question?  I needed the answers to several specific questions others had submitted and would have been thrilled if I could have accessed the answers to those questions.                 Sincerely, PW;  Husband has metastatic bone cancer/prostate

Peggy Wright

11/1/2007 3:35:17 PM #

i have psoraitric arthritis, fybromalgia,degentitive disc disease,acid reflux and IBS.I'm taking remicade infusions,methotrexate,leucorvin,folic acid,amtriptyline,and now i'm having pain in my right side,my labwork says everything if fine w/my liver functions,now they are ordering a colonoscopy because of family history (mother).I am very scared of being put to sleep,is there anything  else that can be done for this procedure to keep from being put to sleep? I am 47 years and female .I have already had my gallblader & appendix removed.

gail baxter

11/23/2007 10:20:22 PM #

i
m 2, my daddied of colon CA at 57 and my sister at 55...I would like to get a colonoscopy witoput sedation (bad precious experience and won't do it again)....any way I can get this done.....? or should I just forget it?  tha nks....Many people do this test without drugs; here in PA I get told:  NO...take the drugs or forget the test..this can't be right...I'll pay cash if necessary to get to without drugs..............I have a high pain tolerence

gary edward