Health Screenings

OPEN ACCESS COLONOSCOPY

Screening, or testing, is done while you are feeling well – to detect, or find, any abnormalities early, before signs and symptoms of disease occur. Screening for colorectal cancer allows for the early detection of cancer when it is highly curable, as well as the detection of growths, or polyps, that could become pre-cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S., and 90% of colorectal cancer deaths are preventable.

PEC now offers "open access colonoscopy" to healthy patients who are eligible for colorectal cancer screening. For your convenience, a separate consultation visit at the physician’s office is no longer required, saving you time, effort and money. In addition, we will schedule your colonoscopy at the date and time that best fits your schedule, including Saturdays.

Open access colonoscopy is for asymptomatic patients between 50 and 70 years old, who are in generally good health (as defined below), who have not been previously screened, or who were screened more than 10 years ago. Any patient who wishes to meet with the physician prior to the date of the procedure is encouraged to make a brief (15 minute) appointment, but those patients who do not feel it is necessary may call PEC and schedule a screening colonoscopy directly.

Please be aware that some insurance plans do not cover preventive health screenings. Patients covered by such plans will not have insurance coverage for the procedure unless it is being done to evaluate a specific medical condition/diagnosis. These patients will need to be seen in the physician’s office prior to their colonoscopy. HMO patients require precertification and therefore, are not eligible for open access colonoscopy.

Please call us if you are unsure whether you, a family member or friend, qualify for open access colonoscopy.

Eligible patients should meet the following criteria:

• Age 50-70 (age 40-49 IF they have a first-degree relative with colon cancer at age 50 or younger)

• No previous problems with anesthesia or conscious sedation

• No anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (coumadin, plavix, etc.). Aspirin (even 81 mg) and gingko biloba should be stopped one week prior to the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding. No valvular heart disease, including mitral valve prolapse (with murmur).

• No disease of the cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, or renal systems requiring active medical treatment. No uncontrolled endocrine (e.g. diabetes) or psychiatric disease (includes active alcohol abuse).

• No chronic use of narcotics, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives.

• No gastrointestinal symptoms (a formal consultation in the physician’s office is indicated in patients with symptoms, although colonoscopy may eventually be part of the evaluation).

For any questions, please contact:
(800) 55-COLON
(713) 587- 0909, ext. 131.
OpenAccess@pec-tx.com

To schedule your screening colonoscopy, please click here.

Save a life! If you have a family member or friend who has not been screened, please give them the form below:

Open Access Colonoscopy Scheduling Form

Fax the form to (713) 587- 0912