Norman Gastroenterology Associates in Norman: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Gastroenterology for Cleveland County
Norman Gastroenterology Associates is a single-specialty practice offering diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, and ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), with office-based care focused on conditions of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and biliary system. The practice operates independently in Norman, about 20 miles north of Oklahoma City, and serves both routine screening and acute referral cases from primary care physicians and other specialists across the region.
What Norman Gastroenterology Associates actually is
The practice consists of gastroenterologists who perform endoscopic procedures in an accredited office-based surgical facility, not a hospital setting. This arrangement means colonoscopies and other diagnostic procedures happen in a dedicated outpatient endoscopy suite with anesthesia support and recovery areas, rather than requiring hospital admission or drive to a larger facility. The practice accepts most major insurance plans and self-pay patients; verification of coverage should be done 48 hours before a scheduled procedure.
Services and typical fees
Norman Gastroenterology Associates provides:
Colonoscopy (screening and diagnostic) – typically $1,200 to $1,800 for the procedure and facility fee combined; actual cost varies by insurance plan, deductible status, and whether polyp removal or biopsy is performed. Most plans cover screening colonoscopy at 100% for individuals aged 50 and older or those with risk factors, but diagnostic colonoscopy (performed when symptoms are present) may have a higher patient cost-share.
Upper endoscopy (EGD) – $1,100 to $1,600 depending on indication and whether intervention (such as biopsy or variceal ligation) occurs.
ERCP – $2,500 to $4,500 if therapeutic intervention is included (stone extraction, stent placement); this is typically a referred procedure for biliary obstruction or pancreatitis.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy – $600 to $900 for limited colonic evaluation without full colonoscopy.
Office-based evaluation and management – standard copay or insurance cost-share; cash-pay visit rates typically range $150 to $250.
Fees can fluctuate based on insurance negotiations and facility updates; call the office directly for an estimate specific to your plan and procedure type.
How it compares to other Norman and Oklahoma City gastroenterology options
Norman Gastroenterology Associates is one of a few dedicated gastroenterology practices in Norman itself; most other gastroenterologists in the region practice in Oklahoma City or are employed by larger hospital systems. OU Medical Center (part of the OU Health system) operates an endoscopy service on its main campus in Oklahoma City and accepts referrals, but procedures often require a longer drive and hospital-based facility fees. Norman's location makes it a practical choice for patients in northern Cleveland County and southern Canadian County who want to avoid an Oklahoma City commute.
Privately owned practices such as Norman Gastroenterology Associates tend to have less variable scheduling than hospital-employed practices, which prioritize inpatient cases and may have longer wait times for routine screening; Norman Gastroenterology Associates typically schedules routine colonoscopies within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on season and physician availability. Hospital-based endoscopy services sometimes allow walk-in or urgent evaluation, while office-based facilities generally require a referral and scheduled appointment.
Who Norman Gastroenterology Associates suits, and who it does not
Norman Gastroenterology Associates suits patients needing screening or diagnostic colonoscopy, those with uncomplicated reflux or dyspepsia, and patients referred for endoscopic therapy (polyp removal, stricture dilation, bleeding control). It is also appropriate for patients in or near Norman who want to avoid the Oklahoma City facility experience.
It does not perform surgery (such as colectomy or gastrectomy); patients needing surgical intervention are referred to a colorectal or general surgeon. Patients with complex biliary disease requiring imaging or those needing high-acuity monitoring may be better served at a hospital-based facility such as Integris Baptist Medical Center or OU Medical Center.
What the first visit typically involves
New patients should bring insurance cards, a list of current medications, and a referral from their primary care physician if required by their insurance. The appointment begins with check-in and registration; most offices collect demographic and insurance information online beforehand to reduce wait time. The gastroenterologist reviews symptoms, performs a focused physical examination, and discusses findings and any planned procedures. If a procedure such as colonoscopy is scheduled, the office provides detailed preparation instructions (typically a liquid diet for 24 hours and a bowel-prep solution) and sedation information; patients must arrange a driver if conscious sedation is planned.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Norman Gastroenterology Associates operates during standard business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some early-morning procedure slots), though exact hours should be confirmed by calling the office. The practice is located on or near a main corridor in Norman and offers free patient parking. Procedures are typically performed in the morning to allow adequate recovery time; plan for 2 to 3 hours total for colonoscopy including recovery. Patients should not drive themselves home after sedation and should have a driver wait during the procedure.
Norman Gastroenterology Associates fills a gap for routine and intermediate gastroenterology care in Norman, reducing travel time for northern Oklahoma County residents and offering a private-practice alternative to hospital-based endoscopy services in the region.
