If you are searching for a gastroenterologist accepting new patients in Northern Virginia, Gastroenterology Center of Northern Virginia (GC of NoVA) welcomes new patients at both of our offices, in Arlington next to VHC Health and in Annandale near Inova Fairfax Hospital. Finding a GI practice that can actually see you is often the hardest part of getting digestive symptoms evaluated or a screening scheduled. This page explains how to become a new patient with us, whether you need a referral, how insurance fits in, and what your first appointment will look like.
Yes, we are accepting new patients at both Northern Virginia offices
GC of NoVA is currently accepting new adult patients at our two locations. Our Arlington office is at 1715 N George Mason Drive, Suite 403, Arlington, VA 22205, adjacent to VHC Health, and can be reached at (703) 522-7476. Our Annandale office is at 3299 Woodburn Road, Suite 220, Annandale, VA 22003, in the Woodburn Medical complex near Inova Fairfax Hospital, and can be reached at (703) 560-6106. You can choose whichever location is more convenient, and both offices are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 5:00pm and Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
How to schedule your first appointment
Becoming a new patient starts with a phone call. Call the office you would like to visit, and our team will ask a few questions about the reason for your visit, your insurance, and any referral or records from another physician. From there we will match you with an appointment. Availability changes with provider schedules and procedure days, so our staff will confirm the current timing when you call. If you reach us outside of office hours, leave a message and we will follow up on the next business day.
Do you need a referral to see a gastroenterologist?
It depends on your insurance plan, not on our practice. Many patients come to us with a referral from their primary care physician, and a referral is helpful because it usually comes with notes and test results that give us a head start. Some plans, such as certain HMO plans, require a referral before they will cover a specialist visit. Many other plans allow you to schedule directly with a gastroenterologist accepting new patients in Northern Virginia without a referral. If you are not sure which kind of plan you have, check your member materials or call the number on your insurance card, and our staff can help you sort out what your plan needs when you call to schedule.
Insurance and your first visit
When you call, our team will ask for your insurance information so we can verify your coverage before your appointment. Plans differ in how they handle specialist visits, screenings, and procedures, so the most reliable way to understand your costs is to confirm your benefits with your insurer and with our office ahead of time. Bring your insurance card to every visit. If a colonoscopy or another procedure is recommended, our staff will walk you through the facility and coverage details for that procedure as a separate step, so you are not guessing about what comes next.
What to bring to your first appointment
A little preparation makes your first visit smoother. Plan to bring your insurance card, a photo ID, a list of your current medications and doses, and any relevant medical records, imaging, or lab results you have. If another physician referred you, bring the referral paperwork or ask their office to send it ahead. It also helps to jot down your symptoms before you arrive, including when they started, what makes them better or worse, and any family history of digestive conditions such as colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Those details often shape the plan we build with you.
When it makes sense to see a gastroenterologist
New patients come to us for two broad reasons. The first is symptoms. Ongoing heartburn or acid reflux, chronic abdominal pain, blood in the stool, difficulty swallowing, persistent bloating and gas, or unexplained weight loss are all reasons to have a GI evaluation rather than waiting for symptoms to pass on their own. The second is screening. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults at average risk begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45, and many digestive conditions cause few or no symptoms in their early stages, which is why screening matters even when you feel fine. If you are due or overdue, our overview of colon cancer screening options in Northern Virginia compares the tests, and our guide to what to expect during a colonoscopy walks through the full process.
Meet the gastroenterologists welcoming new patients
New patients at GC of NoVA are seen by a team of five physicians who practice at both offices. Gabriel B. Herman, MD serves as Chief of Gastroenterology at VHC Health. Pradeep K. Gupta, MD is Medical Director of the GI Unit at VHC Health and emphasizes long-term continuity of care. Truc T. Trinh, MD has a particular focus on inflammatory bowel disease, functional GI disorders, and women's digestive health. Diego I. Kuperschmit, MD performs advanced endoscopic procedures, including ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound, and is a native Spanish speaker, which many of our Spanish-speaking patients appreciate. Rachana Potru, MD completed her gastroenterology fellowship training in Albany and cares for the full range of digestive conditions. When you schedule, our team can help match you with the physician whose focus fits your needs.
Where procedures are performed
Office visits happen at our Arlington and Annandale locations, but endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopy and upper endoscopy are performed at affiliated facilities, including VHC Health, Inova Fairfax Hospital, and Woodburn Endoscopy Center. The right facility depends on your procedure and your situation, and we schedule it for you as part of your care. Being close to both hospital campuses means labs, imaging, and procedures are usually a short trip from the office where you are seen.
Schedule with GC of NoVA
If you have been putting off a digestive concern or a screening because you were not sure which gastroenterologist accepting new patients in Northern Virginia to call, we are glad to help you take that step. Call our Arlington office at (703) 522-7476 or our Annandale office at (703) 560-6106, or visit gcofnova.com to learn more about the practice and our providers. Our team will help you find an appointment time, sort out referral and insurance questions, and make your first visit as straightforward as possible.
Frequently asked questions about becoming a new patient
Is GC of NoVA accepting new patients right now?
Yes. We are accepting new adult patients at both our Arlington office, at (703) 522-7476, and our Annandale office, at (703) 560-6106. Call the location that is most convenient for you and our team will help you schedule.
Do I need a referral to make an appointment?
That depends on your insurance plan. Some plans, such as certain HMO plans, require a referral from your primary care physician before covering a specialist visit, while many others let you schedule directly. Check with your insurer, and our staff can help you confirm what your plan requires when you call.
Will you verify my insurance before my visit?
Yes. When you schedule, our team collects your insurance information and verifies your coverage before your appointment. Because plans differ, we also encourage you to confirm your specialist and screening benefits with your insurer, and to bring your insurance card to every visit.
Can I choose which office and which physician I see?
Yes. Our five gastroenterologists see patients at both the Arlington and Annandale offices, and you can request a specific physician or location when you schedule. Our team can also suggest a physician whose focus, such as IBD, advanced endoscopy, or women's digestive health, fits your needs.
What should I bring to my first GI appointment?
Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, a list of your current medications and doses, and any relevant records, lab results, or referral paperwork. Notes about your symptoms and your family history of digestive conditions also help us plan your care.
Do you treat children as well as adults?
Our practice provides gastroenterology care for adults. If you are looking for care for a child, a pediatric gastroenterologist is the right fit, and your child's pediatrician can point you to pediatric GI resources in the Northern Virginia area.
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified gastroenterologist about your symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
