FAQ

You have several options to choose from:

• Call us at (224) 407-4400
• Email us at info@compgihealth.com
• Complete an appointment request form online
• Click here to learn about an on-demand virtual visit

Our office hours are:

• Monday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday: Two to Three/Month 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Please call the office for availability on Saturdays.

Please fill out our New Patient Forms.

• Don’t worry – we will remind you to fill this out prior to your appointment!

It can be very helpful when we have records from your prior health care evaluations. Fill out this Release of Information Form and we can help assist you in getting your records.

Of note, we have a close relationship with the major nearby health systems and may already have access to your records with them. Please call our clinical coordinators at (224) 407-4400 and they can answer all of your questions and facilitate all communication.

Dr. Troy and Dr. Nathanson are not pediatric gastroenterologists. Patients 18 and older can be cared for at Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health.

Language assistance services in the form of interpreters or written translations can be made available upon your request.

Endoscopies (EGDs), colonoscopies, flexible sigmoidoscopies, and capsule endoscopies are performed in both of our state-of-the-art endoscopy suites located within the office space at either 40 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 110, in Northbrook or 950 Technology Way, Suite 250,Libertyville.

Click here to learn more about the procedures offered and our endoscopy suite.

Mobile Anesthesiologist is the company we partnered with to provided our patients sedation for their procedures. You will receive an email, text, or phone call reminder asking you to provide your health history, medications, and previous surgeries. Mobile Anesthesiologists uses a secure online portal. The link to the portal will be texted to the preferred phone number that you have provided us. If you have any further questions or concerns, visit Mobile Anesthesiologists website at www.zzzmd.com or call at the numbers provided here.

NOTE: We will securely share the Health History information you have provided us with Mobile Anesthesiologists in efforts to reduce wasting your time with repetition of information. However, their trained staff will still confirm the accuracy of all information.

• If you have any general questions, call Mobile Anesthesiologists at: (773) 355-5300
• If you have any questions regarding the anesthesia you will be given or the online history form, call Mobile Anesthesiologists at: (773) 756-5844
• If you have any billing questions, before or after your procedure, please do not hesitate to contact the billing staff at Mobile Anesthesiologists at: (855) 457-9900

We offer:

• evening and weekend hours.
• superior communication.
• easier colonoscopy preparation options.
• coordinated comprehensive care between traditional gastroenterology, nutrition, and counseling, if needed.
• greater focus on medical education and empowering the patient.

For more details on how we set ourselves apart, please click here.

We are focused on excelling in the care of outpatient gastrointestinal issues and routine endoscopic procedures.

If you have a GI condition that necessitates frequent hospitalizations (ex. severe liver disease), advanced endoscopic care (ex. ERCP or endoscopic ultrasound), or if you have significant heart or lung disease that limits the safety of undergoing a procedure in an outpatient setting, you may be better served at a practice more tightly affiliated with inpatient care.

The physicians maintain affiliations with the major local health systems and hospitals. Although they may not be coordinating your inpatient gastrointestinal care, they will likely have access to your electronic medical record and will eagerly communicate with your inpatient team. This way they will be able to follow along on your progress and assist in arranging and fulfilling any necessary follow up care.

We are currently in the process of contracting with numerous insurance companies. Please click here to view them all.

Unfortunately, we do not accept Medicare at this time. Please click here to learn more information about this decision and about your care options.

Our fee schedule for all self-pay patients is available here.

Services provided by our dietitians and counselor MAY BE COVERED BY YOUR INSURANCE. Every insurance plan is different. If you need assistance in helping to determine the coverage you have, please contact us and we would be happy to help with the process. In addition, flexible spending and health saving accounts may also be utilized to lessen your financial responsibility. We would be happy to provide documentation for you to submit to those programs for reimbursement.

Services provided by our dietitians and counselor MAY BE COVERED BY YOUR INSURANCE. Every insurance plan is different. If you need assistance in helping to determine the coverage you have, please contact us and we would be happy to help with the process. In addition, flexible spending and health saving accounts may also be utilized to lessen your financial responsibility. We would be happy to provide documentation for you to submit to those programs for reimbursement.

For additional information on how to file a claim, please see the FAQ answer below, “How do I file for insurance reimbursement for therapy services.”

Filing for reimbursement for behavioral therapy is actually very simple! You can do it online or by mail. Here’s how.

FILING YOUR CLAIM ONLINE

It’s very likely that you can file your claims for reimbursement online, on your insurance company’s website.

• Sign into your account on your health insurance company’s website.
• Find submit a claim online section. 
• Fill in the info they request.
• Scan and upload a copy of your therapist’s bill.
• That’s it!

Here’s the info they’ll request: (all of this will be on the statement your provider gives you)

• Provider’s name and address. 
• Provider’s tax ID number (might be TIN, EIN, FEIN, or SSN)
• Diagnosis code
• Procedure code

FILING YOUR CLAIM BY MAIL

If you aren’t able to file your claim for reimbursement online, you’ll fill in a paper claim form, attach a copy of your therapist’s bill, and mail it to your insurance company.

You can find the claim form on your insurance company’s website, where you can print it out. 

Helpful Hint: If you’ve already paid your therapist, and you’re filing for reimbursement, write in bold letters (and highlight) on the claim form: PATIENT HAS ALREADY PAID PROVIDER, PLEASE REIMBURSE PATIENT. 

Diagnosis. You’ll enter this as a code, which will be on your therapist’s invoice. It will be in “ICD10” format. 

Place of service. Use the code listed on your invoice from our office. It will help the insurance company know it it was a telehealth appointment or in-office. 

Description of Services, or CPT. This is the code for what kind of service your therapist provided, and will be on your provider’s invoice. For example, Individual Psychotherapy, 60 minutes which is a CPT code: 90834.

Your therapist’s NPI number. Will be listed on the invoice. 

Provider’s signature. Fill this in with “See attached invoice.” 

Assignment. Don’t sign anything that says “authorize assignment”, since you’ve already paid your therapist and are filing for reimbursement. If you authorize or assign your benefit, that means the insurance company will send payment to your therapist instead of you.

Credit cards, checks, or cash are accepted at the office during business hours.

Click here to pay your bill online.

You can call or email our billing team with the following information.

Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health Billing Department

• Address: 1655 N. Arlington Hts. Rd. Suite 203E, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
• Phone: 847-590-1500
• Fax: 847-590-1502
• Email: jackie@cprmedicalbilling.com

A colonoscopy involves looking at the colon from inside the body using a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end, through which the doctor can view your whole colon and rectum. The colonoscope is inserted into the anus and advanced through the entire colon and possibly a short distance into the small intestine (called the terminal ileum).

The image on the TV monitor is magnified many times so the doctor can see small changes in tissue. The colonoscope contains channels that allow the doctor to obtain biopsies (small pieces of tissue), remove polyps, and to introduce or withdraw fluid or air. If the doctor sees areas of inflammation or needs a sample of tissue to look for microscopic changes, biopsies or samples of tissue can be obtained.

The procedure is generally about 20-30 minutes long. An anesthesiologist administers medications through the IV line. Most people have a deep sleep during the examination and are unaware that it was even performed.

Click the link to learn more details.

Yes. Here’s some helpful information that we encourage you to read.

WHY ARE COLONOSCOPIES RECOMMENDED?

Colorectal cancer (also known as colon cancer) is the 2nd most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States, yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer.Approximately 1 in 20 people will develop colon cancer in their lifetime. Colorectal cancer is often curable when detected early.

Colonoscopy is the only test that allows a biopsy or removal of a polyp at the very same time it is first identified. Removing polyps during a colonoscopy could stop colon cancer from growing or even cure it.

There is no way to completely eliminate the risk of developing colorectal cancer, but the systematic detection and removal of colon polyps during screening colonoscopies is the single most important intervention to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

As well, early detection of colorectal cancer by screening is the best way to improve the chance of a successful cancer cure.

HOW DOES A COLONOSCOPY HELP PREVENT COLORECTAL CANCER?

Most colon cancers develop from precancerous polyps, which are abnormal growths from the wall of the colon. If these precancerous polyps are left alone, they have the potential to grow into a cancer.

Not all colon polyps have the same risk of turning into colon cancer. Precancerous polyps (adenomas and serrated polyps) could become cancerous; other types of polyps (hyperplastic, inflammatory) do not.

By performing colonoscopies, we can find these precancerous polyps and remove them before they have a chance to transition into a cancer. The development of more than 75-90% of colorectal cancer can be avoided through early detection and removal of precancerous polyps. If people took advantage of screening tests, the vast majority of deaths from colon cancer could be prevented.

This also allows us to determine who needs a closer eye on them than the average population. Instead of colonoscopies every 10 years, some people need colonoscopies every 3-5 years depending on the number and size of polyps that are present.

BUT I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS, DO I REALLY NEED THIS NOW?

• Precancerous polyps usually cause NO SYMPTOMS, and removal of these polyps prevents colon cancer.
• Colon cancers found in patients with symptoms are more advanced and less likely to be cured.
• Colon cancers found in people WITHOUT symptoms are not as advanced and are more frequently cured.
• The biggest risk factor for developing colorectal cancer is aging.

BUT NO ONE IN MY FAMILY HAS COLON POLYPS OR COLON CANCER, ARE YOU SURE I REALLY NEED TO DO THIS?

Although having a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer increases your risk of developing colon cancer, 75% of colon cancers DO NOT have a family history.

You can schedule directly for a colonoscopy if:

• Age over 45
• Family history of colon cancer or significant colon polyps in a close relative

However, if you have any symptoms that you are concerned about or would like to discuss issues with the gastroenterologist prior to the procedure, we would encourage scheduling an office consultation first.

An endoscopy (also called an upper GI scope or EGD) is a procedure that uses a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end, through which the doctor can examine your esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).

The image on the TV monitor is magnified many times so the doctor can see small changes in tissue. If the doctor sees areas of inflammation, ulcers, polyps, or tumors or needs a sample of tissue to look for microscopic changes, biopsies or samples of tissue can be obtained.

The procedure is generally 5-15 minutes long. An anesthesiologist administers medications through the IV line. Most people have a deep sleep during the examination and are unaware that it was even performed.

Click here for more details.

A flexible sigmoidoscopy (also called a flex sig for short) allows the doctor to examine the end part of the colon and rectum.

A long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end is inserted into the anus and advanced through the lower third of the colon and rectum. The scope blows air to inflate the colon to allow the doctor to more carefully examine the colon.

The doctor can insert instruments through the scope that can sample the colon tissue or remove polyps (abnormal growths from the wall of the colon).

Most individuals will be fully awake during the procedure because it is so short, approximately 10 minutes in duration.

If you are not sedated, then you will be able to feel the small tube being inserted and feel pressure, bloating, or slight cramping as the scope is advanced the short distance. Some individuals will receive sedating medications through an IV line and will not be likely to feel or remember any part of the procedure.

Click here for more details.

Capsule endoscopy allows for examination of the small intestine. This middle portion of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes three portions of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), cannot be easily reached with standard endoscopy methods.

You will be given a pill sized video camera for you to swallow. This camera has its own light source and takes pictures of your small intestine as it passes through. These pictures are sent to a small recording device you have to wear on your body.

Your doctor will be able to view these pictures after they are downloaded. This may provide information on structural changes in your small intestine.

The most common reason for doing capsule endoscopy is to search for a cause of bleeding from the small intestine. It may also be useful for detecting polyps, Crohn’s disease, ulcers, and tumors of the small intestine.

Click here for more details.

If you have any questions about anesthesia services, please call Mobile Anesthesiologists at the following numbers:

• General questions: (773) 355-5300
• Questions regarding the anesthesia you will be given or the online history form: (773) 756-5844
• Anesthesia billing questions: (855) 457-9900

Click here for more information.

No. If you are interested in proceeding directly to nutritional counseling, you may schedule an appointment directly with our dietitian.

HOW ARE THE BRAIN AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS CONNECTED?
There is a two-way superhighway between your brain and your gut called the Brain-Gut Axis. Science has shown us that a “second brain” lives in our gut that both sends signals to and takes cues from our brain. Some gastrointestinal disorders and their accompanying symptoms can cause and/or be caused by  interruptions, agitations, and changes along the mind-gut axis. For example, particularly sudden and stressful experiences can shut down or even reverse the digestive process as our body and brain move into the fight or flight response. Digestive pain and discomfort themselves can trigger this stress response, generating anxiety that keeps us from engaging in activities, work, and play, adversely affecting our quality of life. Several factors such as food choice, activity, disease, environment, and even your thoughts and behaviors can make a big difference in your overall health and well-being.

HOW DOES GUT-DIRECTED HYPNOTHERAPY FIT IN?

First, hypnotherapy is not like the hypnosis seen in the movies or in entertainment. There is no mind control. Hypnotherapy is a collaborative process between therapist and patient. Patients are fully aware of the experience. The therapist works with the patient on progressive relaxation, guided healthy and protective imagery, and the creation of automatic behavioral responses. It is much like a guided meditation with imagery, breath work and language geared toward changing the body’s response to stimuli like stress, anxiety, fear, depression, and anything else that threatens to upset the balance of the GI tract. In short, the sessions are a boot camp for focused relaxation that better equip and train patients to respond to day-to-day stressors more effectively.

CAN GUT-DIRECTED HYPNOTHERAPY REALLY HELP?

Olafur S. Palsson, PsyD, is one of the leading researchers on gut-directed hypnotherapy. His research and review of the existing literature has led to the following conclusions:

1. At least half of GI patients who have been unresponsive to standard medical therapy find relief through gut-directed hypnotherapy.
2. A treatment course of 7-12 session of hypnotherapy is sufficient to produce marked symptom improvement.
3. All of the central symptoms of IBS and other functional GI conditions – abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating – can be expected to improve substantially in those who respond to treatment.
4. Gut-directed hypnotherapy commonly provides broader benefits than bowel disorder symptom relief. These positive side effects include enhanced quality of life and reduction in other non-GI symptoms.
5. People that respond to treatment often having lasting improvements for many years after the sessions have been completed.

HOW CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR GUT-DIRECTED HYPNOTHERAPY?

Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health’s Behavioral Therapist, James E. Foster, Jr., MA-LMFT leads our gut-directed hypnotherapy program at Behavioral Health Specialists of CGH. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and offers gut-directed hypnotherapy both on-site and through video telemedicine sessions. He is happy to answer any questions you have about this very effective treatment protocol. Please call 224.407.4400 or visit www.compgihealth.com to schedule an appointment or learn more.

WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE PAY FOR GUT-DIRECTED HYPNOTHERAPY?

A single session of gut-directed hypnotherapy is $150. A package of eight (8) sessions of gut-directed hypnotherapy is $995, a cost savings of $205!

An on-demand virtual visit lets you connect with a GI provider instantly via video – no appointment needed. This provides fast, remote access to specialty care from the comfort of home. 

To join, simply use a device with an updated web browser, internet or cellular connection, and a working microphone and camera.

No appointment is needed! Simply visit our on-demand appointments page and click “Start Visit.” You can complete registration and intake anytime. If outside operating hours, you’ll be offered a spot in line when the waiting room opens. 

Visit hours:

Monday-Thursday: 8 AM – 4 PM CST

Friday: 8 AM – 12 PM CST

On-demand virtual visits are suitable for most common GI conditions and concerns, like those a patient would normally be seen for in an office visit. On-demand providers will be able to discuss symptoms, diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, and order labs, or procedures if necessary. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.

Patients who are 18 years or older and covered by commercial insurance are eligible for on-demand visits. Patients will need to have valid insurance credentials available to complete registration.

Unfortunately, on-demand visits are not available for Medicare, Medicaid, North Shore HMO patients or patients not billing insurance. These patients can still be seen by other providers at the practice, please call (224) 407-4400 for assistance. 

Wait times vary based on the number of patients ahead of you, but the average wait is about 30 minutes. After entering the virtual waiting room, you’ll receive a text and email when your provider is ready, so there’s no need to stay in front of your screen. You can complete registration anytime and will be offered a spot in line when the waiting room opens.

You’ll need a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a stable internet connection, camera, microphone, and a functional web browser. You’ll also need access to the email used for registration.

No apps or software required. Your visit will launch directly from the waiting room webpage or the link sent via text and email.

To have an on-demand visit, patients need an updated web browser, a stable internet or cellular connection, and a working microphone and camera. You’ll also need access to the email account used during registration. 

After registering, you’ll see a confirmation page placing you in the virtual waiting room. When your provider is ready, the video visit will start automatically. You’ll also receive a text and email with a direct link to join.

If you have trouble connecting:

Try opening the link on a different device (smartphone, tablet, or computer).If issues persist, the provider may call you directly at your registered phone number.

An on-demand virtual visit is billed just like a normal office visit. Please ensure you provide accurate and up to date insurance information. If there is a balance left after billing insurance, you will receive a bill shortly after your visit. You can also contact the office at (224) 407-4400 following your visit to put a payment method on file to avoid payment delays.

If a prescription is necessary, the healthcare provider will send it directly to your preferred pharmacy.

No, on-demand virtual visits are not suitable for emergencies. In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. If you have an urgent GI concern, that is not an emergency but needs attention, on-demand visits may be a great alternative to visiting an urgent care or emergency department.

You will not be able to select a specific provider for an on-demand visit, but rest assured that our on-demand visit clinicians are a highly trained and highly skilled group of providers just like you would experience in the office.

Yes, we prioritize the security and confidentiality of your health information. Our virtual visit platform complies with all privacy regulations, and all communication is encrypted to ensure the protection of your data.