FAQs
in Denver

• If you have vomited less than half of your prep, continue with the prep as instructed.
• If you have vomited more than half of your prep you have the option of taking one bottle of Magnesium Citrate. This can be purchased in any pharmacy department, without a prescription.
• If you feel you are unable to do either of the above, stop your prep and call 303.788.8888. Let the answering service know you need to cancel.

• It is not uncommon to have some nausea.
• You may stop drinking your prep for 30-60 minutes and take a break.
• When you restart your prep, start drinking slowly.

• This is a common occurrence.
• BM’s sometimes do not occur until hours after you take the prep.
• Continue your prep as instructed.

• Call 303.788.8888.
• If it is after hours, the answering service will take the cancellation message and deliver it to us first thing in the morning.

• YES. You will need to take the entire prep, even if you have diarrhea.
• We want the stool to be clear, yellow and watery like urine.
• Taking the prep will ensure your physician will be able to see the lining of colon well.

• Water (plain, carbonated or flavored).
• Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple or white grape.
• Fruit flavored beverages, such as lemon or limeade.
• Carbonated drinks, including dark sodas (cola and root beer).
• Gelatin without added fruit or vegetables.
• Tea or coffee without milk or cream.
• Sports drinks.
• Clear broth, vegetable, beef or chicken.
• Ice pops without milk, bits of fruit, seeds or nuts.

• Cologuard is a stool based colon cancer screening test that detects blood or DNA from abnormal cancerous or pre-cancerous cells shed in the stool. This screening test is frequently advertised on television and the radio.
• It is important to understand that Cologuard is not a colonoscopy and, in most cases, it is not as effective as a standard colonoscopy in detecting cancer or pre-cancerous colon polyps.
• While Cologuard is an option for adults 50 years or older who are at average risk for colon cancer, a 2014 New England Journal of Medicine study reported that Cologuard found only 92% of colon cancers and 69% of high-risk pre-cancerous polyps. Therefore, this test missed 8% of cancers and 31% of advanced pre-cancerous polyps. Colorectal polyps can only be removed by colonoscopy, which has much higher detection rates compared to Cologuard.
• If you have questions about whether Cologuard is right for you, please speak with a South Denver GI provider.

Regular screening to prevent colorectal cancer should begin in adults at the age of 45. However, sometimes colorectal cancer screening should start before the age of 45, as in cases where a family member has had colorectal cancer, you have an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or you have a genetic syndrome. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening.

The red/purple color can stay in the GI tract and look like blood.

Proceed with your prep and let the endoscopy staff know when you check in. You will be able to have your procedure done.

YES. You should take heart, blood pressure and time sensitive medication, regardless of color, unless you were previously instructed otherwise.

YES. You may take all supplements up until bedtime the night prior to your procedure.

You can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen.  Do not take the Ibuprofen the morning of the procedure.

YES, but do not take your aspirin the morning of the procedure.

NO. Alcohol can cause dehydration and can thin your blood.

YES. You are able to take the prep. Sulfa and sulfates are not the same. You are OK to take the prep with a sulfa allergy.

• Chilling the prep before drinking is helpful.
• Drinking through a straw that is placed far back on your tongue helps.
• You can also try hard candy, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash or chewing gum.

If you drank all your prep and can see to the bottom of the toilet, you can proceed with your procedure.  A few flecks of stool will be OK.

You will need to talk with a nurse to help determine if you can proceed with your procedure. Please call the nursing triage line at 303.761.8336.

• Keep your bottom clean, avoid rubbing and gently pat with a wet washcloth.
• You can use protective ointments like A & D, Desitin or Preparation H as much as needed.

YES. You can brush your teeth but do not swallow any liquid when you rinse.

YES. You may be asked to remove them prior to your procedure. You will be able to reinsert them right after the procedure is finished.

YES. Your period will not interfere with your procedure.  We recommend using a tampon, but if you are unable to do so, pads are OK. Let the nurse know you are on your period when you get checked in.

• 1 hour prior if you are scheduled at Ridge View Endoscopy, South Denver Endoscopy and Castle Rock Endoscopy Center.
• 2 hours prior if you are scheduled at Littleton Adventist Hospital.
• 1 hour prior if you are scheduled at any other Hospital (Swedish Medical Center, Sky Ridge Medical Center, Parker Adventist Hospital).

• The following foods ARE ALLOWED:
  • White bread without nuts and seeds.
  • White rice, plain white pasta and crackers.
  • Refined hot cereals such as Cream of Wheat, or cold cereals with less than 1 gram of fiber per serving.
  • Pancakes or waffles made from white refined flour.
  • Most canned or well cooked vegetables and fruits without skins or seeds.
  • Fruit juice with no pulp, fruit flavored drinks and flavored waters.
  • Tender meat, poultry, fish, eggs and tofu.
  • Milk and foods made from milk such as yogurt, pudding, ice cream, cheeses and sour cream.
  • Butter, margarine, oils and salad dressings without seeds.
• The following foods ARE NOT ALLOWED:
  • Whole-wheat or whole-grain breads, cereals and pasta.
  • Brown or wild rice and other whole grains, such as oats, kasha, barley and quinoa.
  • Dried fruits and prune juice.
  • Raw fruit, including those with seeds, skin or membranes, such as berries.
  • Raw or undercooked vegetables, including corn.
  • Dried beans, peas and lentils.
  • Seeds and nuts and foods containing them, including peanut butter and other nut butters.
  • Coconut.
  • Popcorn.

• Nursing Triage: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, 303.761.8336
• After hours answering service: 303.788.8888

Every insurance plan is different. Please call your insurance carrier to determine whether or not you need a referral from your primary care physician.

To acquire a copy of your medical record, use our patient portal or call our office.

Please have your pharmacy either send an electronic request (via our electronic health record system) or have them fax your refill request to our office. We can usually respond to the refill request within 1-2 business days.

We require 2 business days notice of cancellation. There is a fee for any appointments canceled in less than that time frame. Office Visits canceled in less than 2 business days are subject to a $35.00 fee. Procedures canceled in less than 2 business days are subject to a $100.00 fee.

Please call our office at 303-788-8888, option 4.

SDG strives to be consistent and compliant with federal coding regulations outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). We will apply charges based on your insurance coverage, and are unable to change, edit or delete diagnosis codes so that diagnostic/therapeutic colonoscopies can be considered as screening/preventative exams.

We accept all major payers. Check your insurance card to see if a referral is required. Reach out to your PCP to obtain a referral, if it is needed. Failure to obtain a referral may result in a claim denial, and insurance will hold the patient responsible for the entire claim.

For procedures, some plans require these to be performed at designated locations, such as HCA HealthONE or Centura facilities. Please check your insurance card for restrictions or call your insurance company with any questions.

If your insurance requires you to pay a co-pay for specialty care, we do expect that co-pay at your appointment.

• Log into your Patient Portal.
• Make a one-time, quick payment here. You will need your statement to submit payment.
• By mail.
• By phone at 303-874-1700.

Call the facilities directly at 720-279-2673.

If you had a procedure, you will get 2 bills: one from South Denver GI and one from the facility your procedure was performed at. You may receive a third bill from pathology if biopsies were done.

When you arrive at our office, we need your updated insurance card and driver’s license.

If you do not have insurance, we suggest that you contact our billing office to make arrangements for payment and to discuss your payment options at 303.788.8888.

We expect payment at the time of service. If you are not able to do so, please call our business office for options at 303.874.1700, option 6.

Charges related to your endoscopy – what you should know:

COLONOSCOPY CATEGORIES

• The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires coverage for some preventative services, such as screening colonoscopy, at no cost to patients.
• However, ACA guidelines may exclude certain patients. Although your primary care provider may refer you for a “screening” colonoscopy, you may not qualify for the “preventative/screening colonoscopy” benefit under your plan as insurance companies may vary coverage.
• You will usually incur charges from your insurance company (copay, coinsurance and/or deductible) for the following types of procedures:
  • Diagnostic/Therapeutic Colonoscopy: If you have any gastrointestinal symptoms, abnormal tests requiring evaluation or treatment by colonoscopy, or polyps are removed during a screening colonoscopy.
  • Surveillance/High-Risk Colonoscopy: If you have no current gastrointestinal symptoms, but have a personal history of gastrointestinal diseases or personal or family history of colon polyps and/or colon cancer.
• What may be covered 100% under your plan:
  • Screening/Preventive Colonoscopy: If you have no current gastrointestinal symptoms, are 50 years old or older, have no personal history of gastrointestinal disease or personal or family history of colon polyps and/or cancer. Patients in this category have not undergone a colonoscopy, or other screening for colon cancer within the last 10 years.
• Coverage and patient financial responsibility vary by insurance carrier as well as the specific insured plan. If colon polyps are removed during your colonoscopy, the procedure will most likely be considered a therapeutic exam and incur charges.
• South Denver GI strives to be consistent and compliant with federal coding regulations outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). We will apply charges based on your insurance coverage and are unable to change, edit or delete diagnosis codes so that diagnostic/therapeutic colonoscopies can be considered as screening/ preventative exams.
• Basic charges for your endoscopy:
  • You may receive more than one bill for the services performed during your endoscopy.
  • A professional fee is charged for the physician’s services and performance of the endoscopy, while a separate facility fee is collected for payment to the surgical center.
  • Prior to the procedure, if there is an estimated patient responsibility, you will receive separate cost estimates of your individual responsibilities that will need to be paid at the time of service.
  • South Denver GI cannot guarantee how your health insurance will pay for your services. It is always a good idea to call your insurance company to understand your benefits and your health insurance coverage expectations.
• Other potential charges related to your endoscopy:
  • Other fees may apply based on services performed during your procedure.
  • Final charges cannot be determined until after your procedure occurs. For example, you may incur additional charges for dilation procedures, pathology (if polyps are removed or biopsies are performed) or anesthesia services if an anesthesiologist is involved in your care.
• If you have any questions or concerns or would like to discuss payment arrangements, please contact our business office prior to your procedure.
• For more insurance and billing information, visit our Insurance and Billing page.