How to Find the Best Doctor for Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a chronic, lifelong, incurable condition that causes inflammation in the colon.

This leads to the formation of ulcers in the lining of the large intestine that can bleed. It can also cause complications in other parts of the body and is associated with other autoimmune conditions. Ulcerative colitis may cause symptoms such as diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal pain, fever, and weight loss. 

A gastroenterologist, a specialist in diseases and conditions of the digestive system, will be the specialist most often needed to diagnose and treat ulcerative colitis. However, an important part of being a patient living with IBD is in getting a referral to a specialist and then following up as needed.

It’s important to learn how to be an empowered patient and to understand as much as possible about ulcerative colitis and how it is treated.

Types of Ulcerative Colitis Specialists

Ulcerative colitis is challenging to diagnose and treat. A gastroenterologist will be the main point of contact for care and treatment.

Some of the signs that a gastroenterologist will look for and treat include bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mucus in the stool, and the need to use a bathroom urgently (tenesmus). 

IBD affects the whole person. Ulcerative colitis can contribute to problems in the eyes, skin, liver, and joints.

Therefore, other specialists might also be needed to ensure that every symptom is being managed. This can include a primary care provider (an internist, a doctor who treats adults), an ophthalmologist, a mental health professional, a dermatologist, a rheumatologist, an enterostomal therapy (ET) nurse, and other specialists as needed.  

Getting a Referral

Patients who suspect they have ulcerative colitis or have been diagnosed with it will want to get a referral to a gastroenterologist. The first step will be in asking your primary care physician for the name and contact information of a gastroenterologist.

Some people who live with ulcerative colitis may be managed day-to-day by a primary care physician. However, it is important to see a gastroenterologist (who specializes in the digestive tract) to get the correct diagnosis and to get the treatment plan in place.

A referral may be seamless and care transferred over easily. However, a referral could also require you to contact your insurance company and transporting records between doctors or between healthcare systems that are not connected. 

Finding the Best Team

Most people who live with IBD will have a team of physicians that they are working with. You will want to get referrals or reach out to specialists as needed, or on a yearly basis for a check in. 

Beyond asking a primary care physician and family or friends for recommendations, patients can also seek out nonprofit patient advocacy groups and professional physician societies to find a list of specialists. Patients will want to find a physician that has IBD or ulcerative colitis as their specialties of interest in order to get more targeted care. 

Doctor Credentials

Specialist physicians go through a long education process. Gastroenterologists are internal medicine physicians who go on to study and specialize in the digestive system.

They are also board certified, meaning that gastroenterologists have demonstrated ability in diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive organs, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, as well as related organs—the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. 

Professional gastroenterology societies such as the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) will have lists of physician members available for patients to access.

Online Resources

There are several places online to look for an ulcerative colitis doctor, including: 

• ACG Find a Gastroenterologist
  
• Find a Medical Expert 
  
• Stop Colon Cancer Now

Hospitals Near You

Hospitals throughout the United States specialize in the treatment of IBD and ulcerative colitis. Patients who are able to access a specialist center may find these centers are a good option for a consultation or for ongoing care. 

Some specialty centers include:

• Cedars-Sinai Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Cleveland Clinic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at NYU Langone Health
• Jill Roberts Center of Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Weill Cornell Medicine
• Mayo Clinic Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic
• Meyerhoff Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 
• Susan and Leonard Feinstein Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Center at Mount Sinai
  
• University of Chicago Medicine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
• University of California, San Francisco, Colitis and Crohn's Disease Center
• University of Rochester Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease 

Taking Advantage of Telehealth

In some cases, telehealth may be a way to manage some aspects of IBD. Appointments with specialists that are far away may be available via telehealth. Asking a new physician or an IBD center about their telehealth options may open up some ways for seeking care more frequently or even with less expense and less travel time.

Getting a Second Opinion

Patients have choices when it comes to their care team. You will want a team you can trust and can rely on. The first doctor or healthcare professional a patient meets with might not be the right one. Getting a second opinion may be necessary to find the right fit.

Second opinions might be needed to confirm a diagnosis, to change medications or manage complications, or before having surgery.

Insurance

For those who have commercial insurance, working with physicians within your plan's network may lower costs. Contact your insurance carrier for a list of providers within your network.

Summary

People who live with ulcerative colitis need to work closely with their gastroenterologist and their other healthcare team members. Inflammatory bowel diseases are not easy to diagnose or treat, which is why some physicians specialize in the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

A Word From Verywell

Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition. It’s important to have a care team that is knowledgeable, responsive, and provides a high quality of care. Insurance coverage and cost can be major barriers to accessing the right care. Asking about all the available options, including telehealth. It can make a difference in seeing an ulcerative colitis specialist who is informed about all the latest in care.