Yellow Skin and Bloated Stomach? Next Steps for Care in Phoenix, AZ

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Yellow Skin and Bloated Stomach? Next Steps for Care in Phoenix, AZ

If you’ve been feeling unusually tired, noticed your stomach is more swollen than usual, and your skin or eyes appear yellow, it’s completely natural to feel worried and want to understand what’s happening. These symptoms, including yellowing skin (jaundice) and abdominal bloating, can be signs of an underlying health issue that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. You’re not alone in searching for “yellow skin and bloated stomach” to start figuring things out, and you’re in the right place for guidance.

This post is here to help you understand what types of doctors you might see for these symptoms, what initial tests or visits may involve, and what costs you can expect in the Phoenix, AZ area. Our goal is to empower you with clear, calm information so you know how to take the next step with confidence.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Phoenix, AZ

Based on your symptoms of yellow skin and a bloated stomach, a few types of healthcare providers are good starting points for evaluation:

  • Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who can diagnose and manage many common health concerns. They can order initial tests, provide treatments, and refer you to specialists if needed. A great first stop.
  • Internal Medicine Doctor: Focuses on adult medical care and manages more complex or chronic conditions. They can evaluate your symptoms thoroughly and coordinate any necessary tests or specialist consultations.
  • Gastroenterologist: A specialist in digestive system disorders. Since you have a bloated stomach and yellowing, which could relate to liver or digestion issues, they can offer expert evaluation and treatment.
  • Hematologist: A specialist in blood disorders. Because yellow skin can sometimes relate to blood or liver conditions, a hematologist might be involved if initial tests indicate a blood-related cause.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here’s a clear breakdown of the types of visits and tests you might undergo with each provider type, along with estimated self-pay costs in Phoenix, AZ. This will help you understand what to expect financially and medically.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: A detailed consultation to discuss your symptoms, review your medical history, and decide which tests you might need next.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $191.39 (typically ranges from $143.54 to $239.24)

  • Provider Availability: This estimate is based on 602 providers in the Phoenix area.

  • Procedure: Liver function blood test panel (CPT Code: 80076)

  • Purpose: A blood test that checks how well your liver is working, important for explaining yellow skin and stomach bloating.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.69 (ranges from $9.52 to $15.86)

  • Provider Availability: 1 provider.

  • Procedure: Bilirubin level, total and direct (CPT Codes: 82247, 82248)

  • Purpose: Measures bilirubin in your blood, which causes yellowing if elevated—key for confirming jaundice.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $7.87 and $7.81 respectively (ranges: $5.90-$9.84 and $5.86-$9.76)

  • Provider Availability: 1 provider each.

  • Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)

  • Purpose: An imaging test that can help rule out lung or fluid issues connected to abdominal bloating.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $47.36 (ranges from $35.52 to $59.20)

  • Provider Availability: 28 providers.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

  • Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)

  • Purpose: Comprehensive consultation for more detailed evaluation of your symptoms and planning further testing.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $189.36 (ranges from $142.02 to $236.70)

  • Provider Availability: 438 providers.

  • Procedure: Liver function blood test panel (CPT Code: 80076)

  • Purpose: Same important liver screening test to understand your symptoms.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.82 (ranges from $9.61 to $16.02)

  • Provider Availability: 1 provider.

  • Procedure: Complete ultrasound scan of abdomen (CPT Code: 76700)

  • Purpose: An ultrasound creates images of your liver and abdominal organs to check swelling, fluid, or other problems causing bloating.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $179.38 (ranges from $134.53 to $224.22)

  • Provider Availability: 5 providers.

  • Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)

  • Purpose: Measures thyroid function, as thyroid problems can sometimes cause symptoms like fatigue and swelling.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $26.21 (ranges from $19.66 to $32.76)

  • Provider Availability: 23 providers.

  • Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)

  • Purpose: Used for additional screening as noted above.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $40.91 (ranges $30.68 to $51.14)

  • Provider Availability: 18 providers.

Visit with a Gastroenterologist

  • Procedure: New patient office visit, 45-59 minutes (CPT Code: 99204)

  • Purpose: A longer, focused visit to assess digestive and liver-related symptoms like yellowing and bloating thoroughly.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $253.65 (ranges from $190.24 to $317.06)

  • Provider Availability: 127 providers.

  • Procedure: Measurement of liver stiffness (CPT Code: 91200)

  • Purpose: A specialized test that helps evaluate liver health and damage, important if liver disease is suspected.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $40.93 (ranges from $17.53 to $64.34)

  • Provider Availability: 13 providers.

  • Procedure: Blood sample collection (CPT Code: 36415)

  • Purpose: Simple blood draw required to perform many blood tests that analyze liver and blood health.

  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $11.42 (ranges from $8.57 to $14.28)

  • Provider Availability: 2 providers.

Visit with a Hematologist

  • Procedure: New patient office visit, 30-44 minutes (CPT Code: 99203)
  • Purpose: A consultation focusing on blood-related causes of symptoms such as jaundice and fatigue.
  • Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $157.46 (ranges from $118.09 to $196.82)
  • Provider Availability: 3 providers.

It’s important to act soon to get the right diagnosis and care. Here’s how you can move forward:

  1. Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor first. They can do initial evaluations and refer you if needed. If you have access to a Gastroenterologist or Hematologist and your symptoms are worrying, consider booking with them directly.
  2. Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all your symptoms (yellow skin, bloated stomach, tiredness), how long they have lasted, and any questions or concerns you have. This helps your provider understand your situation quickly and clearly.
  3. Discuss Costs Upfront: When making your appointment, ask about self-pay costs based on your insurance status and confirm which tests or visits will be done. The prices above are estimates based on local provider data and can vary.
  4. Stay Calm and Positive: Remember that many causes of these symptoms are treatable when diagnosed properly. Seeking professional advice is the right step toward feeling better and getting answers.

Need Help Navigating Your Options?

Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If your symptoms worsen or you experience severe pain, shortness of breath, confusion, or other emergency signs, seek medical attention immediately.