Understanding Gastroenterology Data on DocTransparency

Understanding Gastroenterology Data on DocTransparency

What Gastroenterologists Do

Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat conditions of the digestive system — the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Common conditions include acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, colon polyps, and gastrointestinal cancers. Gastroenterologists perform both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures, making this a procedurally active specialty.

Many gastroenterologists also subspecialize in hepatology (liver disease), advanced endoscopy, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Common Procedures in Medicare Data

  • Colonoscopy — Screening and diagnostic examination of the colon; one of the highest-volume procedures in all of Medicare
  • Upper endoscopy (EGD) — Examination of the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine
  • Colonoscopy with polypectomy — Colonoscopy with removal of polyps found during the procedure
  • Capsule endoscopy — Swallowed camera to image the small intestine
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) — Procedure for bile duct and pancreatic conditions
  • Liver biopsy — Tissue sampling to evaluate liver disease

What Normal Volume Looks Like

Colonoscopy volume is high for practicing gastroenterologists — a full-time GI physician may perform 500 to 1,500 colonoscopies per year. High procedure counts in this specialty are expected and should be read in context. Notably, Medicare data captures screening colonoscopies in patients 65+, which is a core part of the specialty.

Pharma Payments in Gastroenterology

Pharmaceutical payments in gastroenterology are driven primarily by companies marketing biologic drugs for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis — high-cost medications with significant consulting and speaking fee activity. Physicians who manage inflammatory bowel disease practices are the most likely to have substantial pharma payment profiles.

Questions to Ask Your Gastroenterologist

  • How many colonoscopies do you perform per year, and what is your adenoma detection rate?
  • Do you have financial relationships with the makers of the biologic medications you prescribe?
  • If a polyp is found, will it be removed in the same procedure or will I need to return?
Data Disclaimer — Data sourced from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES), Open Payments program, Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data, and Provider Enrollment & Certification data (PECOS). Published under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by CMS, HHS, or the U.S. Government. Data may contain errors as reported to CMS by providers and reporting entities. Payments from industry are legal and do not indicate wrongdoing. Medicare data reflects only patients aged 65+ or those with qualifying disabilities. For corrections, contact CMS directly. This information does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a healthcare provider. Procedure descriptions use plain language and do not reference CPT® codes, which are copyrighted by the American Medical Association. Full methodology → · Report a data error → · Privacy policy →