What is the difference between having a flexible sigmoidoscopy and having a colonoscopy?
A. A sigmoidoscopy is a shorter test that requires less preparation, but is less thorough. A colonoscopy requires greater preparation the day before and sedation for the procedure, but provides a more extensive examination of the colon. It has been shown that up to 50% of polyps and other findings can be missed with a sigmoidoscopy; hence there has been a trend towards performing a coIonoscopy rather than sigmoidoscopy. Please discuss this further with the physician performing the procedure if you have any additional questions.
A. A sigmoidoscopy is a shorter test that requires less preparation, but is less thorough. A colonoscopy requires greater preparation the day before and sedation for the procedure, but provides a more extensive examination of the colon. It has been shown that up to 50% of polyps and other findings can be missed with a sigmoidoscopy; hence there has been a trend towards performing a coIonoscopy rather than sigmoidoscopy. Please discuss this further with Dr. Meehan if you have any additional questions. Q. Will my health insurance pay for Preventive exams (“Annual” physical): A. Some health insurance plans pay only if you have a medical problem. Other health insurance plans pay a certain way if you go to the doctor for medical problems and a different way if you see the doctor for preventive services. It is not always easy to define a visit to the doctor as purely “preventive” or purely due to an ongoing medical condition. If your health insurance plan pays for preventive services (for ex
