Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions our patients ask most often. If you do not see yours here, call us at 813-600-3709, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Appointments
How do I make an appointment?
Call our office at 813-600-3709 or send a request through our website and our staff will contact you to confirm a time.
Do I need a referral?
That depends on your insurance plan. Some plans require a referral from your primary care physician before they will cover a specialist visit. Check with your plan, or call us and we can help you find out.
Do you offer telehealth visits?
Yes. We offer telehealth appointments for new consultations, follow-up visits, review of test results, and medication management. You need to be located in Florida at the time of the visit. Call us to find out whether a virtual visit is appropriate for your concern.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Your insurance card and photo ID, a current list of your medications with doses, any referral or authorization your plan requires, and any recent records or imaging related to your GI concern. Completing your check-in through healow beforehand will save you time in the waiting room. See our Patient Information page for details.
Colonoscopy and Endoscopy
Do I need someone to drive me home?
Yes. If you are receiving sedation, you must have a responsible adult available to drive you home. This is not optional and it is not something we can waive on the day of your procedure. Sedation affects your judgment and reaction time for hours afterward, and you cannot drive yourself, take a taxi or rideshare alone, or walk home. If you do not have a driver, your procedure will need to be rescheduled. Please arrange this well in advance.
How long will I be at the surgery center?
Plan on about three to four hours from arrival to discharge. The procedure itself is a small part of that. The rest is check-in, preparation, and recovery time while the sedation wears off. Your driver should plan accordingly.
When will I get my biopsy results?
Biopsy results usually take about a week to come back from pathology. We normally go over them with you at your follow-up appointment, so that you can ask questions and we can explain what the findings mean for your care.
How important is the prep?
Very. An incomplete prep can hide polyps or make the exam impossible to complete, which means repeating the whole thing. Follow your instructions exactly, and if anything is unclear, call us before you start rather than during. Prep instructions are on our Patient Information page.
At what age should I start colorectal cancer screening?
For people at average risk, screening begins at age 45. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or certain other risk factors, you may need to start earlier. Ask us and we will help you work out the right timing.
Can I schedule a colonoscopy without an office visit first?
Often, yes. Our direct access colonoscopy option lets you send us your information, after which a member of our clinical staff calls you to review your health history and schedule the procedure.
Other Services
What is FibroScan, and do I need to prepare for it?
FibroScan is a painless scan that measures liver stiffness and fat content in about ten minutes. There are no needles and no sedation, so you can drive yourself home afterward. It is available at all three of our offices. We will tell you if any fasting is needed before your scan.
Do you treat hemorrhoids in the office?
Yes. Hemorrhoid banding is done right in our office, takes only a few minutes, and requires no sedation. Most patients go back to their normal routine the same day.
Do you offer infusion therapy?
Yes. For patients whose treatment plan includes infusion therapy, we are able to provide it as part of your care with us. Ask your physician whether it is appropriate for your condition, or call the office for details.
Do you prescribe GLP-1 medications for weight loss?
Where they are appropriate, yes. We offer medically supervised weight management, including GLP-1 medications, as part of your gastroenterology care. Whether they suit you depends on your medical history and other medications, and insurance coverage varies considerably between plans — many cover these drugs for diabetes but not for weight. We will go through both with you before starting anything.
Is a telehealth visit covered by my insurance?
Many plans cover telehealth, but the details differ from plan to plan. Call us at 813-600-3709 and our staff can help you check your specific coverage before you book.
Does hemorrhoid banding hurt, and how many visits does it take?
Most patients feel pressure or fullness rather than pain, and no sedation is needed. Because hemorrhoids are usually treated one at a time, some patients need more than one session. Mild aching for a day or two afterward is normal. See our hemorrhoids page for more.
Insurance and Billing
Do you take my insurance?
We participate with most major plans. See our Insurances Accepted page for the current list. Coverage varies by individual plan, so we recommend confirming your benefits with your carrier before your visit.
How do I pay my bill?
You can pay online through our secure billing portal, or call the office with questions about a statement. Please note that a 3% processing fee applies to credit card payments, and that we no longer accept cash.
Will my screening colonoscopy be covered?
Most plans cover screening colonoscopy for average-risk patients at the recommended interval. Be aware that if a polyp is found and removed, some plans reclassify the procedure as diagnostic rather than screening, which can change what you owe. Your carrier can tell you how your specific plan handles this.
Reaching Us
How do I request a prescription refill?
The easiest way is to send a refill request through the healow app, which goes straight to your care team. You can also ask your pharmacy to send us the request, or call our office. Please do not use the website forms for refills, since they are not monitored continuously. Allow a few business days for refill requests to be processed.
What if I have a problem after hours?
Our office does not have a physician on call after hours. If you are having a medical emergency, or symptoms that feel severe or urgent, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not wait for us to call you back. For concerns that can wait, leave a message and our staff will return your call during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.