What United Digestive Is
United Digestive is a network of gastroenterology practices and outpatient surgery centers across the United States. It is not an insurance company or a government program — it is a group of medical providers who perform digestive system procedures and care. If your doctor refers you to a United Digestive location, you are being sent to one of their facilities for a procedure, consultation, or ongoing treatment related to your digestive health.
United Digestive operates hundreds of locations in multiple states. The network includes both independent gastroenterology practices that have joined the group and dedicated outpatient surgery centers where procedures like colonoscopies, endoscopies, and other digestive treatments take place. Your insurance will still be billed directly — United Digestive is a provider network, not a payment system.
Understanding how United Digestive fits into your care means knowing what to bring, how scheduling works, and what happens before and after your procedure. The sections below walk through the practical steps.
Key Takeaways
- United Digestive is a network of gastroenterology practices and outpatient surgery centers, not an insurance company or benefit program.
- Your regular insurance plan will be billed for any procedures or visits at a United Digestive location, so you should verify coverage with your insurance company before your appointment.
- Most United Digestive locations require you to complete intake paperwork and arrive early on the day of a procedure, especially if sedation is involved.
- If you need a procedure like a colonoscopy, you will receive specific preparation instructions (often called "prep") that must be followed the day before.
- You will need to arrange transportation home if your procedure involves sedation, because you cannot drive yourself.
Before Your First Appointment at United Digestive
When you receive a referral to United Digestive, call the specific location to schedule your appointment. Have your insurance card and your doctor's referral information ready. The staff will ask which insurance you carry and may verify your coverage while you are on the phone. This is the time to ask whether your plan covers the procedure or visit you are scheduled for, and what your out-of-pocket cost might be.
United Digestive locations will send you paperwork before your appointment — either by mail or through a patient portal if the practice uses one. This paperwork includes a medical history form, consent documents, and sometimes pre-procedure instructions. Complete and return these forms before your appointment date. If you do not return them, you may be asked to arrive earlier on the day of your procedure to fill them out in person.
If your appointment involves a procedure that requires sedation (such as a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy), you must arrange for someone to drive you home. You cannot drive yourself after sedation, and this is a requirement, not a suggestion. The facility will not release you without a driver present.
Preparation Instructions for Common Procedures
Different procedures require different preparation. A colonoscopy, for example, requires you to clear your colon completely so the doctor can see the lining. You will receive detailed instructions about diet and a bowel prep solution to take the day before your procedure. Follow these instructions exactly — if your colon is not clean, the procedure may need to be rescheduled.
For an upper endoscopy (which examines your esophagus and stomach), you typically cannot eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. For other procedures, the restrictions may be different. The United Digestive location will send you written instructions specific to your procedure. If you do not receive them at least one week before your appointment, call and ask.
If you take blood thinners, diabetes medications, or other regular medications, ask the facility which ones to take on the morning of your procedure and which to skip. Do not stop any medication on your own without asking — some medications need to be continued even before a procedure, and others need to be paused.
What Happens on the Day of Your Procedure
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and any paperwork the facility sent you. You will check in at the front desk and may be asked to verify or update your medical history and insurance information.
A nurse will take you to a pre-procedure area where they will check your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature) and place an IV line if sedation is planned. The doctor will come speak with you before the procedure to explain what they will do and answer any last questions. This is your chance to mention any allergies, concerns, or changes in your health since you scheduled the appointment.
During the procedure itself, you will be sedated if it is a colonoscopy, endoscopy, or similar exam. You will not be awake for most of it, though you may have some awareness. After the procedure, you will recover in a post-procedure area while the sedation wears off. This usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. The doctor will speak with you (and your driver) about what they found and any next steps.
After Your Procedure and Follow-Up Care
Before you leave, the facility will give you written discharge instructions. These cover what you can eat and drink, when you can return to normal activities, and what side effects are normal (such as mild bloating after a colonoscopy). Keep these instructions and follow them. If you experience severe pain, bleeding, fever, or difficulty breathing after you get home, call the facility or go to an emergency room.
The doctor will send a report of the procedure to your primary care doctor. If the procedure found something that needs treatment or follow-up, the United Digestive location will contact you with next steps. This might be a recommendation to return for a follow-up visit, a referral to another specialist, or instructions to monitor your symptoms.
If you have questions about your bill after the procedure, contact the United Digestive location's billing department. They can explain charges and help you understand what your insurance covered and what you owe.
Insurance and Cost Questions
United Digestive is a network of providers, which means they have contracts with many insurance plans. However, not every United Digestive location accepts every insurance plan. Before your appointment, confirm with both the facility and your insurance company that the location is in-network for your plan. If it is not, you may face higher out-of-pocket costs.
Your cost depends on your insurance plan, your deductible, and whether you have met it. A colonoscopy, for example, may be fully covered by some plans as a preventive service if it is for screening purposes, but may have a copay or coinsurance if it is diagnostic (meaning the doctor is investigating a symptom). Ask the facility to give you an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost before your procedure.
If you receive a bill you do not understand, contact the United Digestive location's billing office. They can explain what each charge is for and may be able to work with you on payment if cost is a concern.
What to Do If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, call the United Digestive location as soon as possible. Some facilities have cancellation policies that charge a fee if you cancel within a certain number of days, so ask about this when you call. If you cancel a procedure that requires prep (like a colonoscopy), you do not need to do the prep — just let the facility know you are canceling before you start it.
If you miss your appointment without calling to cancel, the facility may charge you a no-show fee and may require you to reschedule with a new deposit. Treat your appointment as you would any medical appointment — if something comes up, call right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance cover my procedure at United Digestive?
That depends on your specific insurance plan and whether the United Digestive location you are visiting is in-network. Call your insurance company with the facility's name and address, and ask whether the procedure you need is covered. The United Digestive location can also verify this for you when you schedule.
What if I have a reaction to the sedation or feel sick after my procedure?
Minor side effects like nausea, bloating, or a sore throat are common and usually pass within a few hours. If you experience severe pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or signs of bleeding, call the facility when ready or go to an emergency room. Keep the discharge instructions they give you — they list what is normal and what warrants a call.
How long does it take to get results from my procedure?
The doctor will usually discuss initial findings with you before you leave. A detailed report is sent to your primary care doctor within a few days. If a biopsy was taken, results may take a week or longer. The United Digestive location will contact you if anything urgent is found.
Can I eat or drink before my procedure?
It depends on the type of procedure. Most procedures that involve sedation require you to fast (nothing to eat or drink) for a set period before — often 6 to 8 hours. The facility will give you specific fasting instructions when you schedule. Follow them exactly, because eating or drinking when you should not can delay or cancel your procedure.
What happens if the procedure finds something abnormal?
The doctor will discuss findings with you and your driver before you leave. If treatment is needed, the facility will explain your options and may schedule a follow-up visit or refer you to another doctor. Some findings require no action beyond monitoring. The written report sent to your primary care doctor will detail everything found and any recommendations.