If you are healthy and have no symptoms, call 828-624-1358 to schedule a screening colonoscopy. At Gastroenterology Associates, our board-certified gastroenterologists specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive and liver diseases. We provide gastroenterology and hepatology services, including advanced evaluation and treatment of diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, biliary system (gallbladder and bile ducts), and liver.We are experts in colon cancer diagnosis and prevention.
Services
Our physicians provide gastroenterology and hepatology services, including advanced evaluation and treatment of diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, biliary system (gallbladder and bile ducts), and liver. We are experts in colon cancer diagnosis and prevention. All of our physicians are board-certified in gastroenterology.
For more information including insurance and appointment information, visit our office policies page. If you are healthy and have no symptoms, call 828-624-1358 to schedule a screening colonoscopy. A registered nurse will take your medical history over the phone and schedule your appointment. If you are having symptoms, you need a referral from your Primary Care Physician.
Our Hickory office is conveniently located at 415 North Center Street, on the third floor of the Medical Specialties Center, just across from Frye Regional Medical Center. Here, you can receive outpatient care as well as endoscopy services in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Our 3,500 square foot endoscopy unit features three procedure rooms with high definition equipment which allows for more precise and accurate treatment.
Reviews (10)
Joan Bolick
Jun 22, 2022
Lisa Somers
Apr 25, 2022
I had my very first colonoscopy today and while that is never a fun time, the staff at this facility are ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Every person who walked me through my procedure was kind and sensitive to my anxiety and that was so appreciated. Connie, Beth (best IV cath placer ever!) and Kristy were so kind. Annette was responsible for keeping me comfy during my procedure ( heavy sedation) and she was so incredibly reassuring and calming to me.
She told me she would be watching me closely and she never left my side! Dr Mussari was so sweet and informative. I will definitely be returning to this amazing group of women if the need arises. Wonderful experience and I am so thankful to everyone there even if I missed mentioning you by name!
She told me she would be watching me closely and she never left my side! Dr Mussari was so sweet and informative. I will definitely be returning to this amazing group of women if the need arises. Wonderful experience and I am so thankful to everyone there even if I missed mentioning you by name!
Deborah
Oct 26, 2021
Tyler Crowe
Jul 15, 2021
Could not more disappointed. Have been seeing Dr Richardson for the last six years and she has been awesome, definitely not the problem with this place. I had to cancel my 6 month check up at the beginning of the year because my daughter had COVID. They told me they would call me back with my new appointment, they never called. I called after about two months to try and get an appointment and they told me the same thing, they would call.
They never called. Waited another two months and called back, finally got one in August - only 7 months later than it was supposed to be. I spent last night in the ER with stomach issues and they recommended I see my GI immediately. I called at 830 this morning to hopefully be seen by anyone today, knowing how difficult this would be, I still thought with the severity of the situation they would fit me in. Guess what? They never called.
They never called. Waited another two months and called back, finally got one in August - only 7 months later than it was supposed to be. I spent last night in the ER with stomach issues and they recommended I see my GI immediately. I called at 830 this morning to hopefully be seen by anyone today, knowing how difficult this would be, I still thought with the severity of the situation they would fit me in. Guess what? They never called.
Clegg Johnson
Jun 25, 2021
This practice is NOTHING but MONEY HUNGRY! I've seen Dr. Alport for two procedures and was pleased. THEN.I scheduled an appt. for a different issue while I had insurance. They canceled twice and the last only the day before my appt. saying it could be up to 3-4 months for next available. They called back a few weeks later after I had no insurance.
I ask what a cash pay would be, $50 they said. I showed up and they wanted $100. I refused and left very angry. They DO NOT CARE about the patients, only keeping their book full and keeping the money rolling in. Finally, the staff is extremely rude.
I ask what a cash pay would be, $50 they said. I showed up and they wanted $100. I refused and left very angry. They DO NOT CARE about the patients, only keeping their book full and keeping the money rolling in. Finally, the staff is extremely rude.
Tracy Mashburn
Apr 25, 2021
All around bad experience. They were very disorganized in the scheduling process, not up front about pricing, more interested in money than true patient care, botched my IV, no real feedback after the procedures and billing has been a nightmare. Charged $361 for a 10 minute conversation/office visit. Refuse to pay based on sheer principle. Have contacted numerous times and methods and no one who is reasonable and can make a decision will respond. Not sure how they sleep at night.will not be back and will warn others about them. Be sure you get details in writing about pricing before ever showing up!
Jessica Root
Jan 30, 2021
I was referred here for a new GI when I moved to Lenoir N.C. in October. I was told I would go on the wait list because there were no appointments within the next 2 months. I've been calling and told they would call me with any cancellation. I've called a couple times and still not put on the schedule. They just called to give me a JUNE appointment. Seriously!
I have a complicated case ofCrohn's disease and Bechets. This is a joke of an office I would not send my dog here. Just because it's Covid does not mean my health should be put in their unimportant patient stack of files.
I have a complicated case ofCrohn's disease and Bechets. This is a joke of an office I would not send my dog here. Just because it's Covid does not mean my health should be put in their unimportant patient stack of files.
Sam Miller
Jan 28, 2021
Not a great first experience. I had to wait 10 minutes for someone to come out to take my temperature in order to be checked in at the front desk. I did not wait long out in the main waiting room before being called back to a actual room to be seen by the doctor. There I waited over an hour to see the Nurse practitioner to see me. Which was very odd.
She stated I needed and endoscopy however she called the doctor on call to confirm. She took me to the check out and requested that they schedule the procedure. I was given the instruction where to go and what do do the day before the procedure. I was told that someone would follow up with me about what I would need to pay. Well a weeks goes by noone had called so I called doctors office they gave me a number to call and called that number to be told to call another number. I gave up after the forth attempt and called and cancel the appointment. I would not recommend this practice
She stated I needed and endoscopy however she called the doctor on call to confirm. She took me to the check out and requested that they schedule the procedure. I was given the instruction where to go and what do do the day before the procedure. I was told that someone would follow up with me about what I would need to pay. Well a weeks goes by noone had called so I called doctors office they gave me a number to call and called that number to be told to call another number. I gave up after the forth attempt and called and cancel the appointment. I would not recommend this practice
Susan Tanzie
Apr 16, 2020
Nearly impossible to schedule appointments and then they are very quick to cancel on patients. Patient care is a very low priority when you are needing a follow-up. However, they were very quick to schedule and perform a colonoscopy. Maybe less time needs to be spent billing for procedures and more office time caring for sick patients. Will not return.
April Clark
Jun 02, 2018
My son was referred to Gastroenterology Associates by an urgent care doctor. When I called to confirm they received the referral, I was told it takes 7-10 to process the referral. I called back 10 days later, they can not find the referral. I called the urgent care to verify the fax number that the referral was sent to, then I verified it with Gastroenterology Associates.
The number was correct. I was told by office staff they would call the urgent care to check on the referral. I waited again for a call back. No one ever called me. I called them back after a few days, and kept getting the run around. Finally after explaining my story over and over, another rep said they would call urgent care~ only to find out that urgent care faxed to the wrong fax number. Unbelievable, this could have been handled weeks ago.
I finally got to make an appointment for my son, which was today 6/18 at 1:30pm. When my son arrives for his appointment, he was told he has to reschedule since he was supposed to get there 30min early. I was NEVER told this info by the office staff. When I called to complain about rescheduling, I was told it was office policy. I then asked wasn't it office policy to tell us to arrive 30min prior to the appointment?
Now they are saying the next appointment isn't until September- three months away. This office really has issues. I'm not sure whats going on and who they have working for them, but they need to find better staff. I'm now looking for another GI doctor, and will drive as far as needed to avoid Gastroenterology Associates of Hickory, NC. They are quacks!
The number was correct. I was told by office staff they would call the urgent care to check on the referral. I waited again for a call back. No one ever called me. I called them back after a few days, and kept getting the run around. Finally after explaining my story over and over, another rep said they would call urgent care~ only to find out that urgent care faxed to the wrong fax number. Unbelievable, this could have been handled weeks ago.
I finally got to make an appointment for my son, which was today 6/18 at 1:30pm. When my son arrives for his appointment, he was told he has to reschedule since he was supposed to get there 30min early. I was NEVER told this info by the office staff. When I called to complain about rescheduling, I was told it was office policy. I then asked wasn't it office policy to tell us to arrive 30min prior to the appointment?
Now they are saying the next appointment isn't until September- three months away. This office really has issues. I'm not sure whats going on and who they have working for them, but they need to find better staff. I'm now looking for another GI doctor, and will drive as far as needed to avoid Gastroenterology Associates of Hickory, NC. They are quacks!
