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
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Variceal Band Ligation
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Cramping
- Abdominal Distension
- Abdominal Pain
- Abnormal Digestive Findings
- Abnormal Stool
- Achalasia
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Alimentary Tract Foreign Body
- Altered Bowel Habits
- Anal Abscess
- Anal Fissures
- Anus And Rectum Diseases
- Aphagia
- Aphagia And Dysphagia
- Appendiceal Cancer
- Bacterial Food Poisoning
- Benign Neoplasm Of Colon, Rectum, Anus And Anal Canal
- Benign Neoplasm Of Digestive System
- Bile Duct Stones
- Bile Reflux
- Biliary Tract Disease
- Blood In Stool
- Bowel Obstruction
- Carcinoma In Situ Of Digestive Organs
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Chronic Nausea
- Colitis
- Colon Cancer
- Colon Disease
- Colon Polyps
- Colonic Diverticulosis
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal Malignancy
- 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
- 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)
- H. Pylori Infection
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hemangioma
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatomegaly
- Hepatomegaly And Splenomegaly
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) With Infection
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Intestinal Infections
- Intestinal Stenosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Jaundice
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Liver Encephalopathy
- Liver Failure
- Liver Fibrosis
- Malabsorption
- Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Melena
- Nausea
- Noninfective Gastroenteritis
- Pancreatic Diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Paralytic Ileus And Intestinal Obstruction
- Perianal Fistula
- Perianal Pain
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Polycystic Liver Disease
- Postoperative Ileus
- Postprandial Diarrhea
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Proctitis
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Pain
- Regional Enteritis
- Small Bowel Crohn's Disease
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Stomach Cramps
- Stomach Ulcers
- Swallowing Disorders
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Viral Hepatitis
- Vomiting
- Zollinger
Procedures I perform
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Colonoscopy With Injection
- 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
- Enteroscopy
- Enteroscopy With Bleeding Control
- Esophageal Dilation
- Esophageal PH Monitoring
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy With Biopsy
- Flexible Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Gastric Manometry
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Gastrointestinal Motility Study
- Gastrointestinal Mucosal Ablation
- Irrigation Of Lower Gi
- Lower Gi Endoscopy
- Lower Gi Therapeutic Substance Introduction
- Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
- Sigmoidoscopy With Biopsy
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- Upper Esophagus Dilation, Endoscopic
- Upper Gi Endoscopy
- Variceal Band Ligation
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
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Network OA
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- OA Plus
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna HMO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- TRICARE East Select
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- IH-Open POS II
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Navigate
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- POS OA
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open HMO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- TRICARE for Life East
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CIGNA PPO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- HumanaChoice PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Employee Health Plan
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- IH-Indemnity
- TRICARE East Prime
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Medicare FFS
- CIGNA EPO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- IH-POS
- CareFirst Administrators
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- United Student Resources
- IH-Open HMO Option
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Police and Fire Clinic
- IH-PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst EPO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- IH-HMO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Aetna Classic 5000
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Optimum Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- First Health PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CareFirst NASCO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Choice POS II
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- HighMark
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Choice POS
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- IH-POS Plus
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- First Health PPO
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Sentara Health
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Blue Choice Advantage
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Beech Street PPO
- United Healthcare Choice
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- UHC Passport
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Basic
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
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)