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Endoscopy Center of Monroe Endoscopy Center of West Monroe
Endoscopy Center of Monroe and Endoscopy Center of West Monroe are ambulatory care centers designed specifically to perform outpatient endoscopy. The Endoscopy Centers are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. All physicians and staff are trained in the latest technological advances in treating your condition. The Centers are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of care by being state-licensed and Medicare-certified. The Endoscopy Centers are owned and operated by Gastroenterology Clinic physicians on staff who are dedicated to ensure the delivery of the highest quality of care.
Physicians and Staff
Endoscopy Center of Monroe and Endoscopy Center of West Monroe’s physicians are board-certified gastroenterologists. This means that they have demonstrated competence in the clinical care of patients and have passed the certifying examination in gastroenterology. The Endoscopy Centers support the American Board of Internal Medicine in its mission to improve the quality of medical care by developing superior standards. All physicians have also received Certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
The Endoscopy Centers are staffed with registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and registered medical assistants who are highly trained to assist with procedures and equipment. The staff regularly attends continuing medical education courses. Our nurses are members of the Society of Gastrointestinal Nursing Association.
The Endoscopy Centers have Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in each procedure who carefully evaluate your health history, administer a sedation plan tailored to your procedure and medical status, and monitor you throughout your procedure.
H. Hill Hinkle, M.D.
Vincent C. Herlavic M.D.
C. Butch Dunn, M.D.
Arthur E. Richert, M.D.
Christopher M. Oglesby, D.O.
C. Collins Coon, M.D.
Har P. Rai, M.D.
Brian T. Levatino, M.D.
B. Raj Bhandari, M.D.
Benefits of Endoscopy
Endoscopy involves the use of flexible tubes known as endoscopes to provide a close-up, color television view of your digestive tract. Upper endoscopes are passed through the mouth to visualize the esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and upper small intestine, while lower endoscopes (colonoscopes) are passed through the rectum to view the colon, or large intestine. Endoscopy has been a major advancement in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The use of endoscopes allows for the detection of ulcers, cancers, sites of internal bleeding, swallowing disorders, and a number of other problems. Through endoscopy, tissue samples (biopsies) may be obtained, areas of blockage opened, and active bleeding stopped. Polyps are growths inside the digestive tract that over time can become cancerous. Once detected they can be removed. Endoscopy is easily performed on an outpatient basis and is usually very well tolerated by patients.
Procedures
Examples of procedures performed at Endoscopy Center of Monroe and Endoscopy Center of West Monroe include:
Colonoscopy
Esophageal Dilation
Esophagogastro-
duodenoscopy
Proctosigmoidoscopy
Esophageal
Motility Study
Bravo pH
Monitoring System
Anorectal Manometry
Capsule Endoscopy
Follow Up Care
Endoscopy Center of Monroe and Endoscopy Center of West Monroe provide the highest quality of care available in Northeast Louisiana. Programs are designed to make certain that medical procedures are performed according to specific indications and that patients are well monitored and cared for during their stay. With this in mind, a staff member will contact you following your procedure to assess your recovery and determine if your expectations were met. We also have survey forms available to help us evaluate your satisfaction. Your responses help us measure our Centers’ successes.
Billing/Insurance
Endoscopy Center of Monroe and Endoscopy Center of West Monroe both request that you pre-register and complete a medical history form at least 3-5 days before your procedure. You are requested to bring all insurance cards and forms when pre-registering. Many insurance companies now require pre-certification or prior approval for medical expenditures. The Endoscopy Centers will do their best to solve any insurance payment problems; however, please remember that ultimately, the patient is responsible for full payment.
You will receive two separate statements after testing: a physician's fee for performing the test and a facility fee for the use of the Centers and their supplies. If biopsies are performed, you will also receive a statement from an independent pathologist.
An insurance representative will help file all insurance forms and answer any billing questions. For additional help, please call our billing offices.
Endoscopy Center of Monroe - 318-327-3107
Endoscopy Center of West Monroe - 318-388-6983
