Medically reviewed by Ruel Garcia, MD, board-certified gastroenterologist
Do I Need a Referral for a Colonoscopy? Book Direct in San Jose & Los Gatos
No. At Direct Colonoscopy, eligible adults, typically 45 and older for routine screening, can book a colonoscopy at NASC Los Gatos without a referral from a primary care doctor. Most major commercial plans are accepted (no HMO). Call (408) 850-3721 to check eligibility.
Definition: Direct Access Colonoscopy
What Does Direct Access Mean?
Direct access colonoscopy is a scheduling pathway that lets you book a colonoscopy directly with a gastroenterology practice, without a primary care referral or a separate consultation first. The procedure, the physicians and the equipment are the same as in the traditional route. At Direct Colonoscopy, the procedure takes place at NASC Los Gatos. Direct Colonoscopy offers direct access to patients across San Jose, Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Milpitas. Every procedure is performed by a board-certified gastroenterologist at the National Ambulatory Surgery Center (NASC) in Los Gatos, CA. Also called open access colonoscopy or self-referral colonoscopy.
Same board-certified gastroenterologists as the traditional route
Same procedure and equipment
Performed at NASC Los Gatos, CA
Do I Need a Referral for a Colonoscopy?
Do you need a referral for a colonoscopy? It depends on your insurance plan and where you book. Many HMO plans require a primary care referral before they will pay for specialist care, while many commercial PPO plans do not. At Direct Colonoscopy, you do not need a referral from any physician to book. Our team collects your information and verifies your coverage before your visit.
Can I get a colonoscopy without a referral in California? Yes. Direct access programs exist in California. Direct Colonoscopy offers one in Los Gatos for eligible patients with an accepted commercial plan.
What if I have an HMO plan? Direct Colonoscopy does not currently accept HMO plans, including PMG HMO. Your plan's referral process or an in-network group is the better route. We would rather tell you that up front than after you book.
Not sure? Call (408) 850-3721 to check eligibility.
Who Qualifies to Book Without a Referral?
Direct access is built for routine screening, and eligibility is confirmed when you book. 1. You are 45 or older, or your physician directs earlier evaluation. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), adults at average risk should begin colorectal cancer screening at 45. 2. You can share your health information through our intake form, including your reason for the procedure (screening or diagnostic).
Your history does not call for a different pathway. Our care team reviews this before scheduling. 4. You have an accepted commercial plan: Anthem BCBS, HealthNet, Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna or PMG Commercial.
What if I am under 45? The USPSTF and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommend routine screening from age 45 for average-risk adults. If you are younger and have symptoms or a family history of colorectal cancer, your physician may recommend an earlier colonoscopy. Call us and we will advise on next steps.
Not sure you qualify? Call (408) 850-3721. We will tell you whether you can book directly or whether another step should come first.
How Does Booking a Colonoscopy Without a Referral Work?
Step 1: Contact Direct Colonoscopy. Request your appointment on our booking page or call (408) 850-3721. No referral letter is needed.
Step 2: Complete the Intake Form. Our virtual assistant collects your details on the Direct Colonoscopy intake form: name, date of birth, contact details, insurance information and your reason for the procedure (screening or diagnostic).
Step 3: We Confirm Eligibility and Benefits. The team confirms you meet the criteria for direct access and checks your insurance coverage, so you know what to expect before you come in.
Step 4: Choose Your Date and Physician. We check the booking calendar and assign you to an available physician based on your preferred date and time. You receive a confirmation by email or SMS with appointment details, preparation instructions and any forms, and a reminder 48 hours before your visit.
Step 5: Have Your Procedure at NASC Los Gatos. Your colonoscopy takes place at the National Ambulatory Surgery Center, 15251 National Ave, Suite 205, Los Gatos, CA 95032. The procedure typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, and most patients are home within 2 to 3 hours. Your gastroenterologist shares initial findings before you leave. What to expect on the day of your colonoscopy.
Ready to start? Call (408) 850-3721 or book online.
Direct Access vs the Traditional Referral Route
How you start: with Direct Colonoscopy (no referral), you book directly with the GI team. With the traditional referral route, you see your primary care doctor for a referral first.
Typical time to procedure: with Direct Colonoscopy, often days to a couple of weeks. With the traditional referral route, often several weeks to a few months.
Who performs the procedure: board-certified gastroenterologists, whether you book directly with Direct Colonoscopy or go through the traditional referral route.
Insurance checks: with Direct Colonoscopy, our team verifies your benefits. With the traditional referral route, this is often left to you or your PCP office.
Extra appointments before scheduling: none required for eligible patients with Direct Colonoscopy. At least one with the traditional referral route.
Direct access removes the referral visit without changing who performs your procedure or how it is done.
Which Insurance Plans Work Without a Referral?
Direct Colonoscopy accepts Anthem BCBS, HealthNet, Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna and PMG Commercial. We do not currently accept HMO plans, including PMG HMO.
Routine screening colonoscopies are generally covered as preventive care under most major plans, but your cost depends on your deductible, copay and whether the visit is classified as screening or diagnostic. Our team verifies your benefits before your visit.
Does Direct Colonoscopy at NASC Los Gatos accept Anthem? Yes. Anthem BCBS commercial plans are accepted. We verify your specific plan before scheduling. Call (408) 850-3721 to confirm.
Call (408) 850-3721 and we will check your plan before you book.
Where Is the Procedure Performed, and Who Performs It?
Your colonoscopy takes place at the National Ambulatory Surgery Center (NASC) in Los Gatos, a short drive from San Jose and the rest of the South Bay. Direct Colonoscopy at NASC Los Gatos: 15251 National Ave, Suite 205, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Phone: (408) 850-3721. Serving San Jose, Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Milpitas.
Dr. Michelle Nguyen
Gastroenterologist
Dr. Eduardo da Silveira
Interventional GI
Dr. Bhargava Gannavarapu
Interventional GI
Dr. Ruel Garcia
Gastroenterologist
Why Does Colorectal Cancer Screening at 45 Matter?
Colorectal cancer is among the leading causes of cancer death in the United States. Screening can find precancerous polyps and early cancers when they are most treatable.
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which updated its guidance in 2021, average-risk adults should begin regular screening at 45.
The American College of Gastroenterology and the American Cancer Society support the same starting age, and the CDC publishes patient information on screening options. Sources: USPSTF, ACG, American Cancer Society, CDC.
Not sure when to start? Call (408) 850-3721.
Common questions
What Do Patients Ask Most Often About Booking Without a Referral?
Straight answers about booking a colonoscopy without a referral at Direct Colonoscopy.
Can I get a colonoscopy without a referral?
Yes. Direct Colonoscopy lets eligible adults book a colonoscopy at NASC Los Gatos without a primary care referral. Eligibility depends on your age, health history and insurance, and our team confirms before scheduling.
Does insurance cover a colonoscopy without a referral?
Coverage depends on your plan. Direct Colonoscopy accepts most major commercial plans (no HMO) and verifies your benefits before your visit. See the insurance section above for the full list.
What age should I start colonoscopy screening?
For average-risk adults, the USPSTF and ACG recommend starting routine screening at 45. Your doctor may recommend an earlier colonoscopy if you have symptoms, a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors.
How long does a direct access colonoscopy visit take?
The procedure itself takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Plan for roughly two to three hours total at the center, including check-in, sedation and recovery.
Is a direct access colonoscopy different from a regular colonoscopy?
No. Direct access changes how you book, not how the procedure is done. The same board-certified gastroenterologists perform your colonoscopy at NASC Los Gatos.
Do I need someone to take me home after my colonoscopy?
Yes. Because of the sedation, you need someone to drive you home. Arrange this before your appointment.
Book direct, no referral
Ready to Book Your Colonoscopy Without a Referral?
Call (408) 850-3721 or book online. Our team will confirm your eligibility and verify your benefits.
Medically reviewed
Reviewed by Dr. Ruel Garcia
This page was reviewed by Dr. Ruel Garcia, MD, FACG, a board-certified gastroenterologist with more than twenty years in clinical practice. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Gastroenterology and practices in San Jose. He earned his M.D. at UC San Diego, completed his internal medicine residency at UCSD Medical Center, and trained in gastroenterology at UC San Francisco. His affiliations include Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose, El Camino Health Mountain View, Los Gatos Surgical Center and National Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Guidelines: USPSTF, ACS, CDC, ACG
