Procedure FAQs

GSI SCHEDULING FAQS

  • Why do I have to be scheduled at the hospital and not the Virginia Endoscopy Group?

It depends on the type of insurance you have. The Virginia Endoscopy Group is contracted with a number of larger insurance carriers. However, they are not contracted with Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare products.

  • Do I have to pay my co-pay the day of my procedure?

Yes, most insurance companies require a co-pay to be paid at the time of the visit. If you have questions regarding co-payments, please contact your insurance company.

  • What is the protocol if I get sick and am unable to make it to my appointment or my scheduled endoscopy?

If you have an emergency and are unable to keep your scheduled procedure time, please call the emergency line with your name and date of birth, as well as a phone number where we can reach you to reschedule your procedure.

  • Who do I call if I have billing questions about my upcoming procedure at the VEG or if I’m scheduled at the hospital?

If you have billing questions concerning a procedure scheduled at the Virginia Endoscopy Group or any area hospital, please get in contact with one of our Patient Account Representatives at (804) 285-4465 any time between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most phone calls are returned before the end of the business day.

  • Do I have to pay a co-pay to have my labs drawn at Labcorp or at the hospital?

Normally you would not have to pay co-pay for lab work drawn at Labcorp or in a hospital. However, there are exceptions, so please contact your insurance carrier directly.

  • How do I go about getting prescription refills?

If you need a prescription you may call your local pharmacy or call your physician nurse/assistant and leave a message with your name, date of birth, name of the medication, and the pharmacy number.

  • How do I go about getting a 90-day prescription from my doctor?

Call your physician’s office and leave a voice message for the nurse to obtain 90-day prescriptions or to get refills on a medication. Prescriptions can be faxed electronically to your local or mail-order pharmacy.

  • How long should I wait once I leave my nurse a message if I don’t hear back before I try and call again?

We are conscientious about returning all calls. Nevertheless, infrequently we may not receive a message. For non-urgent issues, please allow 24 hours before calling again, and please make sure to indicate that you are calling a second time.

  • What office locations do you have?

We have seven convenient locations throughout the Richmond Metro area.

  • What is the difference between locations? Why can’t I pick the location I prefer for my procedure?

Our endoscopy centers have certain contracts for reimbursement with the largest insurance carriers. If your insurance company is not one of the ones we have contracted with, your procedure will have to be scheduled elsewhere. If you have Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare coverage, you will be scheduled at one of the hospitals as an outpatient.

  • Can I check my appointment date on your website?

Not at this time. Please call (804) 285-8206 to verify your appointment.

  • Can I see another doctor in your practice for an earlier appointment?

If an earlier appointment is needed, we will be more than happy to schedule you with one of our advanced practice professionals who works alongside your physician.

  • Do you do surgery?

No, we are not surgeons. We do a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as colonoscopies, upper endoscopies, hemorrhoid banding, ERCP, EUS, etc.

  • Why do I have to have my doctor fax records?

Can’t you just get it from the Bon Secours/HCA websites? Having your records prior to your visit allows our providers to review your history. Not all physicians’ offices are connected to the Bon Secours/HCA medical network.

  • Can we print the paperwork from the patient portal and bring it in at the appointment?

We prefer, if at all possible, for you to submit your forms to us electronically through our secure portal so that we may pre-register you prior to your appointment for our providers to review your history. If you print the paperwork and bring it with you to the appointment, you will have to arrive at least an hour before your appointment time so that all the data can be entered.

  • Can I just fill my paperwork out in the office?

We ask that our patients pre-register prior to their appointment either through our secure patient portal or by calling our pre-registration number at (804) 622-3682. If you cannot complete this process prior to your appointment date, we will need to set up another appointment for you.

  • Are you a part of Bon Secours or HCA?

No, we are an independently owned practice, but our providers have admitting privileges at both the Bon Secours and HCA hospitals in the Richmond area.

  • What can the nurse practitioner or physician assistant do?

Our advanced practice providers work alongside our physicians. They are highly qualified to handle your needs, and always share their findings with the doctor. The physician will perform any necessary procedure.

PROCEDURE PREP FAQS

  • Why do I have to arrive 15 minutes early if I have already been to the office before?

This will allow you ample time to find parking, sign in, and complete the check-in process.

  • Do I have to come in for an office visit before my procedure?

This will depend on several things: (1) what procedure is needed; (2) if you have any GI symptoms; and (3) your age and pertinent medical history.

  • Why do I have to have an office visit before my procedure?

If you have a history of heart problems and/or the use of blood thinners or renal problems, you will be asked to see the nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or physician before being scheduled for your procedure.

  • Can I take my medications the day of the procedure?

Yes, in general, you should take all your normal prescription medications before and after your procedure. The only exception is for patients on diabetic medication (insulin or pills) and those who take medication to prevent clotting such as Plavix, Coumadin, Ticlid, etc. Patients in this category will be given specific instructions on when to stop some or all of these medications prior to the procedure.

  • What’s on the list of clear liquids?

A clear liquid diet consists of coffee or tea with sugar (no cream), ginger ale, Coke, Gatorade, tea, Sprite, 7-Up, white grape juice, popsicles, bouillon, Italian ice, apple juice, and Jell-O with no added fruit or toppings. Please abstain from eating or drinking anything red or purple.

PROCEDURE FAQS

  • Can my driver come back and sit with me?

HIPAA privacy regulations restrict non-patient access to patient care areas. The only exception is for patients under 18 years of age or for those with cognitive disabilities.

  • When can the IV come out?

The IV can be removed post-procedure when you have woken from sedation, are believed to be ready for discharge, blood pressure is within normal limits and no nausea or pain are reported.

  • When can I get dressed?

Once cleared for discharge by your anesthesiologist and your physician. Intravenous (IV) access must be removed prior to getting dressed for discharge.

  • Is it done already?

It is normal to not remember the procedure! Time passes quickly while under sedation.

  • When can I leave?

Your physician and anesthesiologist determine your discharge time, but the average discharge wait time is around 20 minutes.

  • When can I eat?

You will be given something to drink when you wake up in our recovery area after your procedure is completed. Upon discharge from our facility, you may eat. We encourage you to avoid very spicy or very greasy foods as the first meals after your procedure.

  • Will the doctor talk with me?

If you have given permission to do so, the doctor will update your driver, as you will not likely remember the findings.

  • How long will I be in recovery?

Recovery time averages 20 minutes.

POST PROCEDURE FAQS

  • When can I take my pain medications?

Your doctor will provide you with an updated medications list, defining when you may resume each of your medications.

  • What did they find?

Your doctor will complete a written report that you will receive after your procedure before leaving the facility. If you have given permission, your doctor will review the results with your driver/family member.

  • How long does it take to get test results?

This will depend on the procedure/test that is performed and if a biopsy was done. Generally, it takes about 5 to 7 business days for us to receive your pathology results. A radiology test normally takes 2 to 3 business days for us to receive your results. Results are securely communicated to you through our patient portal.

  • If the test was ‘normal’ why am I having symptoms/pain?

Endoscopic procedures are valuable tools to help diagnose gastrointestinal illness and disease. Some findings must await processing in the laboratory setting and further testing may be necessary for the effort to provide a quality diagnosis.

  • When can I drink alcohol?

All patients receiving sedation for a procedure agree to refrain from drinking alcohol for 12 hours after receiving sedation/anesthesia. This is due to the potential risk for re-sedation upon discharge from the facility.

Have any other questions that have not been addressed by our procedure FAQs page? Call us or submit a contact form today for additional help!