Is Endoscopy Covered By Insurance In India?

In India, the cost of an endoscopy ranges from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000. It’s a non-surgical treatment that’s used to look at or operate on the body’s interior organs, tissues, and vessels.

Facility

As previously mentioned, the location of your surgery can have an impact on the cost. Inpatient institutions charge more for endoscopies than outpatient centers because they are more expensive to maintain. As a result, getting an endoscopy at an outpatient facility will likely save you money.

Location

The location of your procedure, as shown in the table above, can also affect the cost of endoscopy. In Los Angeles, you can expect to pay upwards of $4,900, whereas in Atlanta, you can expect to pay as little as $3,200.

Insurance Status

When a doctor orders an endoscopy, the operation is usually covered by insurance, but you are still responsible for meeting your deductible and paying the cost or coinsurance. If you have insurance, make sure you receive an endoscopy from an in-network provider because it will be less expensive than going to an out-of-network provider.

You should expect to pay a few thousand dollars out of pocket for this treatment if you don’t have health insurance. You can call several institutions ahead of time to see if any doctors have reduced pricing for people who don’t have insurance.

How costly is endoscopy?

The cost of an endoscopy in India ranges from INR 1000 to INR 5,000. Before undergoing a surgery or making an appointment with a specific doctor or facility, the patient should double-check insurance coverage, charges, and consent.

What is not covered in health insurance in India?

As a result, it is recommended that you do your homework and plan ahead of time before choosing a health plan. It will assist you in selecting a health insurance policy with the fewest exclusions and the most comprehensive coverage. Furthermore, medical insurance policies would often exclude specific ailments from coverage during the first year and then cover them when the waiting time has passed.

There are some typical exclusions, like as contact lenses, spectacles, and hearing aids, which are not covered. Dental surgery/treatment (unless requiring hospitalization), congenital external defects, convalescence, venereal disease, general debility, use of intoxicating drugs/alcohol, self-inflicted injuries, AIDS, diagnosis expenses, infertility treatment, and Naturopathy treatment are among the exclusions covered by Indian health insurance plans.

Read on to learn more about the diseases and treatments that are not covered by health insurance:

How painful is a endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a minimally invasive medical treatment that involves inserting a’scope’ (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera on the end) into the body to examine interior organs and structures. This is a fairly common operation that can be used to explore symptoms, diagnose problems, and in certain situations, even administer medicines.

While endoscopy is a routine treatment for medical professionals who perform it, it can be frightening and distressing for individuals. Endoscopy has even been proven to cause a classic’stress response,’ with increased release of noradrenaline and cortisol (two major’stress’ hormones) and a considerable increase in heart rate, according to studies. The ‘fight or flight’ response follows a similar physiological pattern. Anxiety during endoscopy is a well-studied topic since it has a significant impact on the endoscopy’s outcome, the ease of the process, and whether or not it will need to be repeated; staying calm and relaxed can make the scope’s passage easier and less uncomfortable. This post will provide you 5 useful pointers on how to stay calm throughout your endoscopy!

Know yourself and your own coping strategies

For other people, the prospect of undergoing a medical procedure is not a major concern. Many others, however, would find this to be a big source of anxiety. Identifying your personal anxiety levels is the first step in preparing for something like an endoscopy. People who have higher levels of anxiety are more prone to have panic attacks, according to research of endoscopic treatments. Identifying your personal anxiety levels and sentiments about the approaching treatment is the first step toward developing effective stress-reduction measures. In addition to recognizing the source of stress, research has shown that people who utilize specific tactics adapted to their personal day-to-day coping mechanisms benefit the most during the endoscopy. Women and patients with other medical issues have been shown to be at the highest risk of developing anxiety during endoscopy, and that simply identifying these patients who are at a higher risk of stress and anxiety prior to the procedure results in improved patient satisfaction and reduced anxiety during the procedure.

Get to know what is going on

Whether you are nervous or not, it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about the treatment you will have before having it done. There are numerous forms of endoscopy, and the patient experience varies widely depending on what is being researched or treated. Several studies have found that providing high levels of patient education/information lowers heart rate and distress during endoscopic procedures while also improving patient perception, compliance, and procedure-related anxiety.

Speaking with your doctor is the best method to get all of the pertinent information (ideally the one who has referred you or will be performing the endoscopy). Because consultations can be brief at times, and you may forget to ask some questions, it’s a good idea to jot down questions as they come to mind and bring them with you to your appointment for further discussion with an experienced doctor. There is also a wealth of useful information available on the internet. Endoscopic information can be found on the NHS website, or you can visit our specialty endoscopy sections for more information.

Discuss the option of sedation

The majority of endoscopies include some local anaesthetic to numb the area where the scope is inserted, although sedation is often used as well. For those who are very concerned or worried, the goal of sedation is to make you feel drowsy and peaceful during the treatment. After determining your own degree of anxiety and learning about the operation, the next step is to decide if you want sedation during your endoscopy. This is definitely a discussion you should have with the right clinician, as it has an impact on the procedure’s simplicity of use. If the doctor performing the endoscopy believes you will be particularly stressed during the process, sedation may be highly recommended to make the procedure more comfortable. According to studies, pre-medication with sedation lowered anxiety and blood pressure (a stress and anxiety marker) during the endoscopy, as well as recovery time. However, like with any medicine, there is a chance that you will react to the sedation, which raises the risk of medication-related problems.

Listen to music

The psychological and physiological effects of playing calming music during endoscopy were investigated in a study that looked at many trials with over 2,000 participants. Music had a substantial overall beneficial effect, reduced pain scores, reduced patient anxiety, and enhanced patient satisfaction, according to the analysis of these studies; amazing outcomes for a ‘non-medical’ addition to this intervention! Although having music playing during your endoscopy is never required, if you believe it would help you relax, inform your doctor, and the clinical staff will be able to accommodate you.

Advice from our experts

  • This is a rather painless process. Because most individuals are uncomfortable with the camera travelling down their throat, anaesthetic throat spray and a little hypnotic injection can make the examination considerably more pleasant.
  • The endoscopic camera is very thin and slick, and it will easily travel through the throat and into the food pipe (oesophagus) without obstructing the airways or causing choking.
  • During the operation, there is no impediment to breathing, and patients breathe normally during the evaluation.
  • During the procedure, all patients will be constantly checked for oxygenation, pulse rate, and blood pressure, and will receive oxygen supplementation through the nose.
  • Any tissue samples (biopsies) required during the examination are taken using the camera and are completely painless.

It’s difficult to relax during an invasive medical procedure, especially if you’re nervous, but following these steps will help you get through it. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness are all excellent ways to keep yourself relaxed.

Remember to identify anything that makes you nervous and to ask your doctor any questions you may have prior to your surgery so that you are as prepared as possible.

Is endoscopy done on empty stomach?

You should go into the procedure with an empty stomach to let your doctor to see the digestive tract clearly. Your doctor will go over your plans with you. You might need to get ready with:

  • Drink only clear liquids for six to eight hours before the treatment (broth, gelatin, popsicles, water, black coffee or tea).
  • Stop using any medications that thin the blood or impact blood clotting, such as aspirin. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you may need to switch medications. Pay attention to your doctor’s advice.

How is an upper endoscopy performed?

An upper endoscopy is usually performed as an outpatient surgery, which means you can return home the same day. Although the operation may be unpleasant, it should not be painful. An intravenous sedative or another type of anesthetic will be administered to you. After the procedure, you should have someone drive you home.

During the process, which takes around 30 minutes, you lie on your left side. Your physician:

  • Inserts a mouthguard to protect your teeth and administers a numbing spray to your throat.
  • The endoscope is guided down into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum through your mouth.
  • Pumps air into the stomach and duodenum through the endoscope to make it easier to observe organs.
  • While investigating for abnormalities or performing treatments, the endoscope’s images are displayed on a video monitor.

What should I expect after an upper endoscopy?

Before returning home, you’ll need to rest while the sedative wears off. Your throat may get irritated as a result of an upper endoscopy. For a few days, you may be hoarse or cough. Until the soreness goes away, eat soft meals, sip ice water, and use throat lozenges.

You may have bloating (a bloated feeling from the pumped-in air) and nausea after the surgery (an anesthesia side effect). You should be able to resume your normal activities the next day, including working and driving, if your doctor gives you permission.

How long does an endoscopy take?

The endoscope is carefully retracted via your mouth after your doctor has finished the exam. Depending on your circumstances, an endoscopy can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

What can endoscopy show?

Upper GI endoscopy is a procedure that doctors use to diagnose and treat symptoms and illnesses affecting the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine or duodenum.

After a person consumes or drinks dangerous chemicals, an upper GI endoscopy can be used to screen for damage.

A clinician gets biopsies during upper GI endoscopy by putting an instrument through the endoscope to obtain a small sample of tissue for testing. Biopsies are required to diagnose diseases such as cancer.

  • manage ulcer bleeding, esophageal varices, and other gastrointestinal problems
  • a tiny balloon put via the endoscope to dilate or open strictures

For some persons with obesity, doctors are now using upper GI endoscopy to undertake weight loss treatments.

What is the cost of endoscopy in Delhi?

The cost can range from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 30000 depending on the aforesaid factors.

Please consult your doctor for a treatment plan and pricing quote that is tailored to your specific needs.

Who can do endoscopy in India?

Endoscopy is often performed by gastroenterologists and general surgeons. The breadth of this technique is enormous because it is safe, has fewer difficulties, and has a more wide use. Endoscopy isn’t just for operating on the GI tract; it’s also proven useful for the following:

To determine the source of digestive discomfort (e.g., bleeding; abdominal pain)

Also, read about the “Top 5 Short Term Medical Courses” in India to help you thrive in your field.