Compare 39 gastroenterologists in Sarasota, FL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
39
Gastroenterologists
100%
Accepting patients
85%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Sarasota is a retirement and cultural hub that has built a remarkably deep healthcare infrastructure for a mid-size city. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is publicly owned, which means it reinvests in the community rather than sending profits elsewhere. That model, combined with the area's wealthy retiree base, has attracted specialists who might otherwise only practice in Tampa or Miami.
Sarasota has 39 gastroenterologists. The most common credential is MD (85%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Sarasota Memorial's main campus anchors healthcare downtown, with Doctors Hospital of Sarasota providing a second option south of the city center. Lakewood Ranch Medical Center serves the fast-growing communities east of I-75. US-41 (the Tamiami Trail) is the primary north-south corridor connecting providers, and Bee Ridge Road serves as the main east-west medical corridor. Barrier island residents on Siesta Key and Longboat Key face bridge crossings that add 15 to 30 minutes.
Providers practice throughout Sarasota. Downtown Sarasota is the urban core near Sarasota Memorial Hospital, with specialist offices clustered along Main Street and Ringling Boulevard. St. Armands Circle is an upscale shopping and dining circle on the barrier island with boutique medical practices and proximity to Sarasota Memorial. Burns Court is a small arts-oriented neighborhood near downtown with walkable access to Sarasota Memorial and Doctors Hospital. Gillespie Park is a residential neighborhood just north of downtown with easy access to Sarasota Memorial's main campus.
Nearby hospitals include Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and Ringling College of Art and Design. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a public, community-owned hospital system and one of the largest in Florida, consistently ranked among the best in the state.
The first visit includes a thorough review of your symptoms, diet, bowel habits, and medical history. The GI doctor may order blood work, stool tests, or imaging. If a colonoscopy or endoscopy is needed, they will schedule it separately and explain the preparation. Procedures are done under sedation and typically take 20 to 45 minutes. You will need someone to drive you home afterward.
Sarasota Memorial operates a large physician network, and their patient navigation team can help match you with a primary care provider accepting new patients. Call the main line and ask for physician referral services.
See a gastroenterologist for persistent heartburn or acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, chronic abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, blood in your stool, chronic diarrhea or constipation, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), abnormal liver tests, hepatitis, celiac disease, or when it is time for a screening colonoscopy. Your PCP may refer you after initial evaluation.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Screening colonoscopy: $0 (preventive) · Diagnostic colonoscopy: $1,500-4,000 · Upper endoscopy: $1,000-3,000
The combination of an aging population and year-round sun exposure makes cardiology, oncology, and dermatology the three busiest specialty areas in the Sarasota market.
Frequent heartburn that does not respond to over-the-counter antacids may be gastroesophageal reflux disease. A gastroenterologist evaluates the severity and recommends treatment to prevent long-term esophageal damage.
Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis require ongoing management by a gastroenterologist who monitors disease activity, adjusts medications, and performs colonoscopies to assess the health of your intestinal lining.
IBS causes bloating, cramping, and unpredictable bowel habits that interfere with daily life. A gastroenterologist confirms the diagnosis and helps you find dietary and medical strategies that bring relief.
Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, now recommended starting at age 45. A gastroenterologist performs the procedure and removes precancerous polyps before they become dangerous.
Elevated liver enzymes, fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis all fall within a gastroenterologist scope. Early detection and management prevent progression to liver failure.
Sarasota, FL has 39 licensed gastroenterologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of gastroenterologists in Sarasota, FL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Medicare is the primary insurance type in Sarasota County. Traditional Medicare with a Medigap supplement is widely accepted. Medicare Advantage plans from Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna compete heavily in this market. For residents under 65, Florida Blue and Ambetter are the main ACA marketplace options.
An office visit copay is $30 to $75. A screening colonoscopy is $0 (preventive). A diagnostic colonoscopy costs $1,500 to $4,000. An upper endoscopy runs $1,000 to $3,000. Actual costs in Sarasota, FL depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Screening colonoscopies must be billed as preventive to be covered at 100%. If polyps are found and removed, the procedure should remain coded as screening. Verify that the endoscopy center and anesthesiologist are both in-network.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is the dominant system, operating the main hospital, a cancer center, and a network of outpatient clinics. Doctors Hospital of Sarasota (HCA) and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center provide alternatives. Most local physicians are affiliated with Sarasota Memorial, though some specialists maintain privileges at multiple facilities.
67% of gastroenterologists in Sarasota, FL accept Medicare. Medicare covers screening colonoscopies every ten years for average-risk patients (no cost-sharing). Diagnostic colonoscopies and other GI procedures are covered with standard Part B cost-sharing. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some gastroenterologists in Sarasota, FL accept Florida Medicaid, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers screening colonoscopies and medically necessary GI services. Coverage details for newer medications (biologics for IBD) vary by state formulary. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Florida Medicaid participation before scheduling.
Yes. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is owned and operated by the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board, a special taxing district. This means it serves all patients regardless of ability to pay and reinvests revenue back into facilities and services rather than distributing profits to shareholders.
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard is the primary hospital serving the community. There are also numerous outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, and specialist offices along University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
Top accepted carriers in Sarasota, FL include medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-16842, qhp-17091, and qhp-19898.
Screening colonoscopies are covered at 100% as preventive care under the ACA with no copay (for average-risk patients starting at age 45). If polyps are found and removed during a screening, the procedure should still be billed as preventive. Diagnostic colonoscopies (ordered for symptoms) are subject to your deductible and copay. Verify the endoscopy center is in-network separately from the doctor.