Gastroenterologists in the U.S will likely need help from lab and diagnostic centers in the near future.
They play a central role in screening, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the digestive system — from GERD to inflammatory bowel disease and liver conditions to colorectal cancer.
As preventive screenings and chronic GI conditions rise, so does demand for this specialty.
But how many gastroenterologists are actively practicing in the United States today? And how many patients are they serving?
How Many Gastroenterologists Are Practicing in the U.S.?
According to Voyager, there are 22,036 active gastroenterologists in the U.S. as of 2025. In 2023, they delivered outpatient care to 8,458,462 Medicare Part B beneficiaries. They are working in hospitals, private practices, ambulatory endoscopy centers, and academic medical centers.
Voyager sources provider data from the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) and CMS registries, which are updated weekly. It layers in claims data and referral activity to verify that these providers are currently delivering care.
This figure includes general GI physicians as well as subspecialists focused on:
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Hepatology (liver disease)
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Advanced endoscopy (e.g., ERCP, EUS)
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IBD care (e.g., Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
Medicare Part B: 8.46 Million Patients Served in 2023
In 2023, gastroenterologists provided outpatient services to 8,458,462 Medicare beneficiaries, based on Part B claims. Common services included:
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Colonoscopy and polyp removal
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Upper GI endoscopy (EGD)
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Liver function evaluations and fibrosis assessments
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Chronic management of GERD, IBS, and IBD
Because Medicare beneficiaries are largely age 65 and older, this volume reflects high demand for colorectal cancer screening and chronic disease management in older populations.
The Scope of Gastroenterology Practice
It is important to have an idea on what gastroenterologists do in their everyday practice.
Gastroenterologists treat conditions that affect nearly every adult at some point in life — making them a high-volume referral target for:
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Primary care (e.g., screening referrals)
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Oncology (e.g., colon cancer diagnosis)
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Rheumatology (e.g., autoimmune GI conditions)
In addition to outpatient care, many also perform procedures in ASC settings or hospital outpatient departments — making claims-based tracking essential for understanding real activity.
Subspecialization and Practice Types
Of the 22,036 active gastroenterologists:
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Many are general GI providers
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A growing number focus on liver disease or advanced therapeutic procedures
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Others participate in clinical trials for IBD, colon cancer, or viral hepatitis
Voyager helps diagnostic and life sciences companies target practicing gastroenterologists, independent endoscopy centers, and subspecialists based on real-world billing and referral patterns.
FAQs: How Many Gastroenterologists Are in the U.S.?
Q: How many gastroenterologists are actively practicing in the U.S. in 2025?
A: As of 2025, Voyager identifies 22,036 active gastroenterologists based on claims-confirmed clinical activity.
Q: How many Medicare patients did gastroenterologists treat in 2023?
A: In 2023, they provided outpatient services to 8,458,462 Medicare Part B beneficiaries.
Q: What types of services are included in the Medicare data?
A: Colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, liver diagnostics, and chronic GI disease management under Part B.
Q: Where does Voyager get its data?
A: From NPPES and CMS registries (updated weekly), verified through real-world billing and referral activity.
Q: Are hepatologists included in this count?
A: Yes — when they are board-certified in gastroenterology and actively billing for GI or liver-related services.
