Skip to main content

Gastroenterologists in Traverse City, MI

16 listed in Traverse City, MI · Listings last verified November 2026 · How we vet listings

We list 16 gastroenterologists in the Traverse City area, most of them in Traverse City and Petoskey. All are physicians (MD or DO), shown with the practice's phone number, address and Google rating where we could match one. Use the filters to narrow by city, telehealth, Medicare or Medicaid.

Filter

Heidi V. Huck, MD

McLaren Digestive Health

Gastroenterology

Practice rating 3.6 (14 Google reviews)

Address
560 W Mitchell St Suite M40, Petoskey 49770
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (231) 487-2391 Website Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

James A. Doull, MD

McLaren Digestive Health

Gastroenterology

Practice rating 3.6 (14 Google reviews)

Address
560 W Mitchell St Suite M40, Petoskey 49770
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (231) 487-2391 Website Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

John P. Milliken, MD

Northern Mi Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Practice rating 4.0 (7 Google reviews)

Address
224 Circle Dr, Traverse City 49684
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (231) 935-0525 Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

Joseph G. Edelson, MD

McLaren Digestive Health

Gastroenterology

Practice rating 3.6 (14 Google reviews)

Address
560 W Mitchell St Ste M40, Petoskey 49770
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (231) 487-3637 Website Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

Luke McCrone, MD

McLaren Digestive Health

Gastroenterology

Practice rating 3.6 (14 Google reviews)

Address
560 W Mitchell St Ste M40, Petoskey 49770
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (231) 487-2391 Website Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

Thomas Gietzen, MD

McLaren Digestive Health

Gastroenterology

Practice rating 3.6 (14 Google reviews)

Address
560 W Mitchell St Suite G40, Petoskey 49770
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (231) 487-2391 Website Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

Thomas Tietjen, MD

McLaren Digestive Health

Gastroenterology

Practice rating 3.6 (14 Google reviews)

Address
560 W Mitchell St Suite M40, Petoskey 49770
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (231) 487-2391 Website Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

In the Traverse City area

Our Traverse City listings cover northern Lower Michigan: Grand Traverse County, Emmet County, Alpena County, Leelanau County, Wexford County, Charlevoix County, Kalkaska County, Manistee County and Mecosta County. That reaches Petoskey to the northeast, Alpena on the Lake Huron side, Cadillac to the south and Manistee on Lake Michigan.

This is a spread-out area with limited choices. Traverse City has the largest share of listings, and Petoskey is the second hub. Alpena, Cadillac and Charlevoix have a handful each, so a specialist visit may take a real drive.

Munson and McLaren are the two names you'll see most. Munson appears in Traverse City, Cadillac and Charlevoix, while McLaren is the main name in Petoskey. Community mental health programs also serve the region, and Northwest Michigan Health Services has a Benzonia location.

For more choices, Grand Rapids is the nearest large group of listings, and telehealth can widen your options for some kinds of care. If you need a procedure or a second opinion, ask your doctor where they usually refer patients.

You have two main places to look for GI care: Traverse City and Petoskey. McLaren Digestive Health appears in Petoskey, and Northern Michigan Gastroenterology is in Traverse City. No other towns have GI listings, so people in Alpena or Cadillac may need to drive. If you have a liver condition, ask whether the practice can manage it or refer you on.

Nearby: Grand Rapids–Kalamazoo, MI · Flint–Saginaw–Bay City, MI · Lansing, MI · Marquette, MI

How to choose a gastroenterologist

A gastroenterologist, or GI doctor, diagnoses and treats problems of the digestive tract: the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. People see one for heartburn that won't go away, ongoing belly pain, diarrhea or constipation, bleeding, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and for colonoscopies.

Start with the kind of care you need. Many GI doctors handle a wide range of problems, but some focus on one area:

  • General gastroenterologists handle most needs: reflux, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, screening colonoscopies and follow-up on abnormal tests.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialists manage Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis over the long term.
  • Advanced endoscopists do complex scope procedures, such as removing large polyps or treating bile duct and pancreas problems.
  • Hepatologists focus on the liver. Many are gastroenterologists with extra liver training.

If you're not sure, a general gastroenterologist is the right first stop. They'll refer you on if you need a subspecialist.

Check credentials. Board certification in gastroenterology shows a doctor has finished specialty training and passed a certification exam. You can look up any doctor's certification for free on the American Board of Internal Medicine website [1]. Our listings show the credentials doctors report in the federal NPI registry, but we don't verify board certification.

Know if you're due for a colonoscopy. Experts recommend colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75 [2]. A colonoscopy is one option. Some people can start with a stool test instead. Ask your primary care doctor which test fits you, and whether your family history means you should start earlier.

Confirm insurance before you book. Practices change the plans they accept, so call the office or check your insurer's directory. HMO plans usually need a referral first. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary specialist visits; you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible [5].

Ask where procedures are done. Colonoscopies and other scopes happen in a hospital or a separate endoscopy center. The location can change what you pay, so ask before you schedule.

Know when not to wait. Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, black or tar-like stool, or feeling faint, confused or cold and clammy with belly symptoms need emergency care, not an appointment [4]. Call 911.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral to see a gastroenterologist?

It depends on your insurance. Most HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor before they'll cover a specialist visit. PPO plans and traditional Medicare usually don't. Some GI practices also want a referral or recent test results before they book you, especially for a procedure, so call ahead and ask what to bring.

At what age should I get a colonoscopy?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75. A colonoscopy is one way to screen, and stool tests are another. People with a family history of colon cancer, certain polyps or inflammatory bowel disease may need to start earlier or screen more often. Ask your doctor what's right for you.

Does Medicare cover a screening colonoscopy?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers a screening colonoscopy once every 120 months for most people, or once every 24 months if you're at high risk. There's no minimum age. You pay nothing for the screening if your doctor accepts assignment. If a polyp is removed during the test, you may owe a share of the cost.

What happens at a first GI appointment?

Expect questions about your symptoms, diet, bowel habits, medications and family history, plus a physical exam. The doctor may order blood work, a stool test, imaging or a scope procedure such as an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. Bring a list of your medications and any recent lab results, scans or procedure reports.

How do I know if a gastroenterologist is board certified?

Look the doctor up on the American Board of Internal Medicine's free "Verify a Physician" tool, which shows whether they're certified in gastroenterology. Our listings show the credentials doctors report to the NPI registry, but we don't verify certification ourselves.

Sources

  1. American Board of Internal Medicine — Verify a physician's certification
  2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — Colorectal cancer screening
  3. Medicare.gov — Colonoscopies (screening)
  4. NIDDK — Symptoms and causes of GI bleeding
  5. Medicare.gov — Doctor & other health care provider services (Part B)