About me
Bergen Kassoff, PA-C, is a nationally certified physician assistant at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Health Medical Center at Mitchellville. She specializes in gastroenterology and closely collaborates with Dr. Danny Shearer, Dr. Gary Thompson, Dr. Lauren George and Dr. Arthur West. She is an active member of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Academy of Physician Associates.
Ms. Kassoff is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including but not limited to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, gastritis, H. pylori infection, peptic ulcer disease, pancreaticobiliary disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colitis. Additionally, she is deeply committed to cancer prevention and regularly conducts preprocedural visits for colorectal cancer screenings. Her comprehensive approach to care includes lifestyle modifications, medication management, and other therapeutic interventions.
A native of the DMV, Ms. Kassoff began her medical career as a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. She went on to Pennsylvania and graduated with highest honors from Lehigh University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in behavioral neuroscience. After her undergraduate studies, she worked in clinical research at Children’s National Hospital. Although passionate about research, Ms. Kassoff wanted to have direct involvement in patient care, so she decided to get her Master of Science in physician assistant studies at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). Ms. Kassoff is honored to be back home serving the community that raised her.
Philosophy of Care
"My approach to healthcare is centered on a patient-first philosophy, emphasizing compassionate, holistic care tailored to each individual's unique needs. I want my patients to know that I am their advocate and will strive to help them reach their health goals. I believe in the importance of patient education and empowerment, ensuring that those under my care are fully informed and active participants in their treatment plans.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Colonoscopy
- Diverticulitis
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
- Enteroscopy
- Gallstones
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) In Children
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Hydrogen Breath Test
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Stomach Ulcers
- Upper Endoscopy
- Urea Breath Test
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Distension
- Abdominal Pain
- Abnormal Body Structure Imaging
- Abnormal Stool
- Achalasia
- Altered Bowel Habits
- Anal Cancer
- Anal Fissures
- Anal Venous Thrombosis
- Anus And Rectum Diseases
- Aphagia
- Aphagia And Dysphagia
- Appendiceal Cancer
- Benign Neoplasm Of Colon, Rectum, Anus And Anal Canal
- Benign Tumor
- Bile Duct Stones
- Biliary Tract Disease
- Bowel Obstruction
- Cancer Of The Appendix
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Constipation
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Colitis
- Colon Cancer
- Colon Disease
- Colon Polyps
- Colonic Diverticulosis
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal Malignancy
- Constipation
- Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's Disease [Regional Enteritis]
- Depression
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Diseases
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Esophagus
- Diseases Of Stomach And Duodenum
- Diverticulitis
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenitis
- Dysphagia
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Diseases
- Esophagitis
- External Hemorrhoids
- Flatulence
- Functional Dyspepsia
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gallstones
- Gas And Bloating
- Gastric Cancer
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) In Children
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
- H. Pylori Infection
- Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoids And Perianal Venous Thrombosis
- Hepatitis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Intestinal Infections
- Intestinal Stenosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Liver Cancer
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Liver Failure
- Noninfective Gastroenteritis
- Pancreatic Diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Perianal Pain
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Personal History Of Diseases And Conditions
- Polycystic Liver Disease
- Postprandial Diarrhea
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Pain
- Stomach Cancer
- Stomach Ulcers
- Throat Pain
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Vaginal Wall Prolapse
- Variceal Bleeding
- Vascular Disorders Of Intestine
- Viral Hepatitis
Procedures I perform
- Anal Electromyography
- Barium Enema
- Bowel Resection
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Diagnostic Radiology
- Diarrhea Management
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Enterectomy
- Enteroscopy
- Esophageal Dilation
- Gastric Manometry
- Gastrointestinal Motility Study
- Gastrointestinal Tube Placement
- Gynecological Cancer Screening
- Helicobacter Pylori Stool Test
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Hepatitis E Treatment
- Hydrogen Breath Test
- Hysteroscopic Polyp Resection
- Immunoglobulin Administration
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Lactose Intolerance Testing
- Liver Biopsy
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Mrcp (MAGNETIC RESONANCE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY)
- Neonatal Abdominal Paracentesis
- Pancreatic Disease Management
- Skin Allergy Testing
- Sonohysterography
- Testicular Ultrasound
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Upper Endoscopy
- Urea Breath Test
- Urinary Incontinence Treatment
- Variceal Band Ligation
- Virtual Autopsy
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CareFirst NASCO
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- TRICARE East Prime
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- BlueChoice Open Access
- HighMark
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- IH-POS Plus
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Beech Street PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- POS OA
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- TRICARE East Select
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- United Healthcare Choice
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- First Health PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Choice Fund PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-Open HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CIGNA PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Choice POS
- OA Plus
- CareFirst EPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna Basic
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Choice POS II
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- IH-POS
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- IH-Network Only Plus
- CareFirst Administrators
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Sentara Health
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- First Health PPO
- Network OA
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Aetna HMO
- IH-Indemnity
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- UHC Passport
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- IH-Open POS II
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- IH-HMO
- Medicare FFS
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Optimum Choice
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Police and Fire Clinic
- IH-PPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
Education
Board Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
Graduate: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (2023)