Alan Chen, BS MD| Gastroenterology | MedStar Health
About me
Alan Chen, MD is a gastroenterologist at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is skilled in evaluating and managing all general GI disorders, including but not limited to acid reflux (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including diarrhea and constipation, peptic ulcer disease, GI bleeding, and colon cancer screening. He has a particular interest in COVID-19 and its effects on the GI tract.
Dr. Chen grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, and went on to earn his undergraduate and medical degree from Duke University. He did his internal medicine residency at The Ohio State University and completed his Gastroenterology Fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Chen also trained at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and the Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy Medical Center.
Dr. Chen is a member of the American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and traveling. Dr. Chen is fluent in both English and Chinese
Clinical areas of focus
- Abdominal Pain
- Colonoscopy
- Constipation
- Dysphagia
- Enteroscopy
- Enteroscopy With Bleeding Control
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding And Rectal Bleeding
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hemorrhoids
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Neonatal Abdominal Paracentesis
- Throat Pain
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Variceal Band Ligation
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Cramping
- Abdominal Distension
- Abdominal Pain
- Abdominal Wall Abscess
- Abnormal Body Structure Imaging
- Abnormal Digestive Findings
- Abnormal Stool
- Achalasia
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Alimentary Tract Foreign Body
- Altered Bowel Habits
- Anal Abscess
- Anal Cancer
- Anal Fissures
- Anal Venous Thrombosis
- Anus And Rectum Diseases
- Aphagia
- Aphagia And Dysphagia
- Appendiceal Cancer
- Ascites
- Bacterial Food Poisoning
- Benign Neoplasm Of Colon, Rectum, Anus And Anal Canal
- Benign Neoplasm Of Digestive System
- Benign Tumor
- Bile Duct Stones
- Bile Reflux
- Biliary Tract Disease
- Blood In Stool
- Bowel Obstruction
- Cancer Of The Appendix
- Candidiasis
- Carcinoma In Situ Of Digestive Organs
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Chronic Nausea
- Colitis
- Colon Cancer
- Colon Disease
- Colon Polyps
- Colonic Diverticulosis
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal Malignancy
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Malformations Of Esophagus
- Congenital Malformations Of Gallbladder, Bile Ducts And Liver
- Congenital Malformations Of Intestine
- Congenital Malformations Of Peripheral Vascular System
- Congenital Malformations Of Upper Alimentary Tract
- Constipation
- Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's Disease [Regional Enteritis]
- Diabetic Gastroparesis
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Complications
- Digestive System Diseases
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Esophagus
- Diseases Of Stomach And Duodenum
- Diverticular Disease
- Diverticulitis
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenitis
- Dysphagia
- Epigastric Pain
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Hernia
- Esophageal Stricture
- Esophagitis
- External Hemorrhoids
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Family History Of Specific Disorders
- Flatulence
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gallstones
- Gastric Cancer
- Gastric Varices
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) In Children
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding And Rectal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
- General Symptoms
- H. Pylori Infection
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hemangioma
- Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoids And Perianal Venous Thrombosis
- Hepatitis
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatomegaly
- Hepatomegaly And Splenomegaly
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) With Infection
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Intestinal Infections
- Intestinal Stenosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Jaundice
- Liver Cancer
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Liver Encephalopathy
- Liver Failure
- Liver Fibrosis
- Malabsorption
- Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Melena
- Myocarditis
- Nausea
- Noninfective Gastroenteritis
- Pancreatic Diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Paralytic Ileus And Intestinal Obstruction
- Perianal Fistula
- Perianal Pain
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Personal History Of Diseases And Conditions
- Polycystic Liver Disease
- Postoperative Ileus
- Postprandial Diarrhea
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Proctitis
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Pain
- Regional Enteritis
- Short Bowel Syndrome
- Small Bowel Crohn's Disease
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Spinal Stenosis
- Stomach Cancer
- Stomach Cramps
- Stomach Ulcers
- Swallowing Disorders
- Throat Pain
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Vascular Disorders Of Intestine
- Viral Hepatitis
- Vomiting
- Zollinger
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- Abdominal X-Ray
- Ascending Colectomy
- Barium Enema
- Bladder Inspection
- Bowel Resection
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Cecostomy
- Colonoscopy
- Colonoscopy With Injection
- Colostomy
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Descending Colectomy
- Diagnostic Radiology
- Endoscopic Argon Plasma Coagulation
- Endoscopic Clip Placement
- Endoscopic Laser Therapy
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
- Endoscopic Photodynamic Therapy
- Endoscopic Stomach Feeding Device Insertion
- Endoscopic Stricture Dilation
- Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
- Enterectomy
- Enteroscopy
- Enteroscopy With Bleeding Control
- Esophageal Dilation
- Esophageal PH Monitoring
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy With Biopsy
- Excision Of Cecum
- Excision Of Duodenum
- Excision Of Esophagus
- Excision Of Ileum
- Excision Of Large Intestine
- Excision Of Stomach
- Excision Of Stomach Pylorus
- Flexible Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Gastric Debridement
- Gastric Manometry
- Gastric Plication
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Gastrointestinal Motility Study
- Gastrointestinal Mucosal Ablation
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Ileostomy
- Irrigation Of Lower Gi
- Laparoscopic Colectomy
- Laparoscopic Gastrostomy
- Laparoscopic Splenectomy
- Lower Esophagus Excision
- Lower Gi Endoscopy
- Lower Gi Therapeutic Substance Introduction
- Neonatal Abdominal Paracentesis
- Percutaneous Cholecystostomy
- Percutaneous Liver Biopsy
- Rectal Excision
- Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
- Robotic Colpopexy
- Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
- Sigmoid Colectomy
- Sigmoidoscopy With Biopsy
- Sonohysterography
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Transverse Colectomy
- Upper Esophagus Dilation, Endoscopic
- Upper Gi Endoscopy
- Upper Gi Series
- Urologic Imaging
- Variceal Band Ligation
- Vein Sclerotherapy
- 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
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Aetna HMO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Choice POS
- Sentara Health
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Police and Fire Clinic
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- United Student Resources
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- IH-PPO
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Navigate
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Beech Street PPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- First Health PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- CIGNA PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Aetna Basic
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Indemnity
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- OA Plus
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Choice POS II
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-EPO Plus
- IH-Open POS Plus
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- First Health PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- HighMark
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- CareFirst NASCO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- POS OA
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Employee Health Plan
- IH-POS Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Tricare Reserve Select
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- TRICARE for Life East
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- TRICARE East Select
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Medicare Direct
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-Open POS II
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Optimum Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Network OA
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Aetna Classic 5000
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Choice Fund PPO
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- IH-HMO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- CareFirst EPO
- Medicare FFS
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CareFirst Administrators
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Choice
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- IH-POS
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Fellowship: University of Maryland Medical Center (2020)
Residency: Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (2017)
Graduate: Duke University (2014)
Graduate: Duke University (2010)