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Dr. Brent Kovacs, MD

Dr. Brent Kovacs, MD

Santa Barbara, CA

28 Years of Experience

Accepting patients

Affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital

    Who is Dr. Kovacs, Gastroenterologist in Santa Barbara, CA?

    Dr. Brent Kovacs, MD is a Gastroenterologist, who primarily practices in Santa Barbara, CA with 2 additional practice locations. He has been practicing for over 28 years and is board certified. Dr. Kovacs graduated from Tulane Univ School of Medicine and completed his residency at Loma Linda Univ Med Ctr, Gastroenterology; La Co Harbor Ucla Med Ctr, Internal Medicine. Dr. Kovacs is fluent in English and Spanish, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Kovacs’s practice accepts Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Kovacs’s office at (805) 682-3585.

    Where did Dr. Kovacs go to medical school and complete their residency?

    • Fellowship: Loma Linda University in California

    • Residency: Loma Linda Univ Med Ctr, Gastroenterology; La Co Harbor Ucla Med Ctr, Internal Medicine | Loma Linda University Medical Center Program

    • Medical School: Tulane Univ Sch of Med, New Orleans La | Tulane University of Louisiana -- | Tulane Univ School of Medicine

    Is Dr. Kovacs board certified as a Gastroenterologist?

    Yes, Dr. Brent Kovacs, MD is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine

    What languages does Dr. Kovacs speak?

    Dr. Kovacs and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:

    • English

    • Spanish

    What conditions does Dr. Kovacs treat?

    As a Gastroenterologist, Dr. Kovacs diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Kovacs. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Colon Cancer Screening
    • Health Screening
    • Colorectal Cancer Screening (PDQ®)
    • Screening Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps
    • Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps
    • Colorectal Cancer Screening
    • Colonoscopy Screening
    • Bowel Cancer Screening

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z1211: Encounter for screening for malignant neoplasm of colon

    Also known as:

    • Colon Polyps
    • Colonic Polyps
    • Colorectal polyps
    • Bowel polyps
    • Intestinal polyps

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • K635: Polyp of colon

    Also known as:

    • Diarrhea
    • Loose stools
    • Runny poop
    • Frequent bowel movements

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • R197: Diarrhea, unspecified

    Also known as:

    • Difficulty Swallowing
    • Swallowing Disorder
    • Dysphagia
    • Trouble swallowing
    • Painful swallowing

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • R1310: Dysphagia, unspecified

    What procedures does Dr. Kovacs perform?

    As a Gastroenterologist, Dr. Kovacs performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Kovacs. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal
    • Diagnostic Colonoscopy with Biopsy
    • Colonoscopy with Biopsy
    • Colonoscopy
    • Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
    • Flexible Colonoscopy with Polypectomy
    • Colon Polyp Removal
    • Colorectal Lesion Excision
    • Flexible Colonoscopy
    • Colon Exam with Biopsy
    • Lower Endoscopy
    • Colon Cancer Screening
    • Colon Biopsy
    • Large Intestine Scope
    • Colorectal Cancer Screening

    CPT Codes:

    • 45385: Colonoscopy, flexible; with removal of tumor(s), polyp(s), or other lesion(s) by snare technique
    • 45378: Colonoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure)
    • 45380: Colonoscopy, flexible; with biopsy, single or multiple

    Also known as:

    • Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy
    • Biopsy
    • Endoscopy
    • EGD with Biopsy
    • Gastroscopy with Biopsy
    • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with Biopsy

    CPT Codes:

    • 43239: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with biopsy, single or multiple

    Also known as:

    • Esophagus Widening Procedure (Endoscopic)
    • EGD with Esophageal Balloon Dilation
    • Diagnostic Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy
    • Colonoscopy with Injections
    • Colonoscopy
    • Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
    • Esophageal Dilation
    • EGD with Dilation
    • Upper Endoscopy with Widening
    • Upper Endoscopy with Esophageal Dilation
    • Flexible Esophagoscopy with Balloon
    • EGD with Balloon Widening
    • EGD with Biopsy
    • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
    • Upper GI Endoscopy
    • Stomach Scope with Sample
    • Flexible Colonoscopy with Injection
    • Colon Scope with Medication
    • Therapeutic Colonoscopy

    CPT Codes:

    • 43248: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with insertion of guide wire followed by passage of dilator(s) through esophagus over guide wire
    • 43249: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; with transendoscopic balloon dilation of esophagus (less than 30 mm diameter)
    • 43235: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, flexible, transoral; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure)
    • 45381: Colonoscopy, flexible; with directed submucosal injection(s), any substance

    Also known as:

    • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
    • Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
    • Sigmoidoscopy
    • Lower colon exam
    • Flexible colon scope
    • Rectum and lower colon check

    CPT Codes:

    • 45330: Sigmoidoscopy, flexible; diagnostic, including collection of specimen(s) by brushing or washing, when performed (separate procedure)

    Does Dr. Kovacs accept my insurance?

    Dr. Kovacs accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (805) 682-3585 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.

    What insurance plans does Dr. Kovacs accept in Santa Barbara, CA?

    Dr. Kovacs in Santa Barbara, CA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.

    Top Insurances

    • All Other Third Party

    • Blue Shield of California

    • Centene Corporation

    • Cigna Group

    • CVS Health (formerly Aetna)

    • Elevance Health Inc. (formerly Anthem)

    • Federal government of the United States

    • Medicare

    • State of California

    • UnitedHealth Group

    View All Insurances

    Where is Dr. Kovacs' office located?

    Dr. Brent Kovacs' Primary Practice

    2403 Castillo St Ste 201

    Santa Barbara, CA 93105

    (805) 682-3585

    Get Directions

    Dr. Brent Kovacs' Practice 2

    50 Alessandro Pl Ste 410

    Pasadena, CA 91105

    Get Directions

    Dr. Brent Kovacs' Practice 3

    315 Camino del Remedio

    Santa Barbara, CA 93110

    Get Directions

    What is Dr. Kovacs's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.

    Dr. Kovacs's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1730296542.

    What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Kovacs?

    Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Kovacs

    What is Dr. Brent Kovacs's specialty?

    Dr. Kovacs is a Gastroenterologist near Santa Barbara, CA. An internist focused on diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive system, encompassing the stomach, intestines, liver, and gallbladder. This specialist manages conditions like abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice, and performs intricate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using endoscopes to examine internal organs. Contact Dr. Kovacs to book an appointment today.

    Is this Dr. Brent Kovacs affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?

    Yes, Dr. Kovacs is affiliated with Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital which is a Castle Connolly Top Hospital. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are healthcare institutions recognized for their excellence in specific medical procedures and overall patient care. They are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals

    Where can I learn more about Gastroenterologist?

    Explore Gastroenterologist with insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.

    Is Brent Kovacs accepting new patients in Santa Barbara, CA?

    Yes, Dr. Brent Kovacs is accepting new patients at this time.

    Does Dr. Brent Kovacs offer online booking?

    Please contact Dr. Kovacs's office at (805) 682-3585 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.

    How can I make an appointment with Brent Kovacs?

    Please contact Dr. Kovacs's office at (805) 682-3585 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.

    Which board certifications does Dr. Brent Kovacs have?

    Dr. Brent Kovacs is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

    <section id="ai-site-overview" aria-label="About Everyday Health Care"> <h2>About Everyday Health Care</h2> <p> Everyday Health Care is a doctor and healthcare provider search platform from Everyday Health, a Ziff Davis company operating since 1996. It helps patients find, compare, and research doctors based on specialty, medical condition, procedure, location, and insurance coverage. </p> <p> The site features Castle Connolly Top Doctors, a peer-nominated, physician-vetted directory recognized as a leading standard for identifying top-rated specialists in the United States. Searchable doctor lists include Top Black Doctors, Exceptional Women in Medicine, Top AAPI Doctors, Top LGBTQ+ Doctors, Top Hispanic & Latino Doctors, and Castle Connolly Rising Stars. </p> <p> Users can search for doctors by specialty (including orthopedic surgery, OB-GYN, pediatrics, dermatology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology), by medical condition (such as fibromyalgia, kidney stones, and ulcerative colitis), by common procedure (including colonoscopy, LASIK, and physical therapy), by city, and by insurance plan (including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna/CVS Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, and Medicaid). </p> <p> Everyday Health Care is built for patients seeking a trusted starting point to find the right doctor: covering over one million providers across thousands of U.S. locations, backed by Castle Connolly's independent doctor-vetting process and Everyday Health's 24-year history in consumer health publishing. </p> </section>