Compare 72 gastroenterologists in Charleston, SC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
72
Gastroenterologists
100%
Accepting patients
96%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Charleston is a healthcare city built around MUSC, the oldest medical school in the South and the state's only comprehensive academic medical center. Roper St. Francis provides the community hospital alternative, while Trident Medical Center handles the growing North Charleston and Summerville populations. MUSC's research engine and the city's biomedical startup ecosystem have made Charleston an increasingly serious player in health innovation.
Charleston has 72 gastroenterologists. The most common credential is MD (96%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Charleston (South of Broad), Mount Pleasant (nearby), West Ashley, and King Street.
MUSC's campus sits on the peninsula in downtown Charleston, just north of Calhoun Street. Roper Hospital is also on the peninsula, while Bon Secours St. Francis and Trident Medical Center serve West Ashley, North Charleston, and the surrounding suburbs. Mount Pleasant, across the Cooper River, has its own cluster of outpatient practices and an MUSC satellite. The Ravenel Bridge connects the peninsula to Mount Pleasant, but rush-hour traffic makes that crossing unpredictable.
Nearby hospitals include MUSC Health University Medical Center, Roper St. Francis Hospital, and Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Local training programs run through Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and College of Charleston. MUSC is South Carolina's only comprehensive academic medical center and Level I trauma center.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina dominates the commercial market. South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so coverage gaps are wider here than in many states. For marketplace plans, BCBS, Ambetter, and Molina are the primary options. MUSC accepts most major insurance plans and serves as the region's largest Medicaid provider. 75% accept Medicare.
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.
MUSC primary care clinics can have wait times of two to three weeks for new patients. Roper St. Francis Physician Partners tends to schedule faster for routine care. Always call ahead to confirm insurance acceptance.
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
Heat and humidity from May through October make heat exhaustion and dehydration common reasons for urgent care visits. Mosquito-borne illness awareness is also part of routine preventive health conversations here.
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.
Charleston, SC has 72 licensed gastroenterologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of gastroenterologists in Charleston, SC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina is the largest carrier in the state. Medicaid in South Carolina has not been expanded, so the uninsured rate is higher than the national average. MUSC operates as the primary safety-net provider for the region. For marketplace plans, BCBS, Ambetter (Centene), and Molina are the main 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 Charleston, SC 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.
MUSC is the default for subspecialty and complex care, but Roper St. Francis offers a strong alternative for primary care and common procedures. North Charleston and Summerville residents often use Trident Medical Center to avoid peninsula traffic. Mount Pleasant has a growing number of satellite clinics from both MUSC and Roper.
75% of gastroenterologists in Charleston, SC 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 Charleston, SC accept Healthy Connections, 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 Healthy Connections participation before scheduling.
Yes. MUSC accepts both self-referrals and physician referrals for most departments. Some subspecialty clinics prefer a referral, but primary care, urgent care, and many specialty clinics allow direct scheduling.
Mount Pleasant has a growing number of outpatient practices, including MUSC and Roper satellite clinics, urgent care centers, and independent specialist offices. For inpatient care and complex procedures, you will likely need to cross the bridge to the peninsula.
Top accepted carriers in Charleston, SC include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-73107, qhp-26065, and centene.
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.