Ira David Shocket, MD| Gastroenterology | MedStar Health
About me
As Chief of Gastroenterology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Dr. Shocket leads the division and its team of GI specialists who provide the latest and most advanced care available in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
Dr. Shocket is one of the best gastroenterologists in the region and has been recognized consistently for his work for over two decades. He currently is listed as a Top Doctor in Washingtonian, Consumer Checkbook, US News and World Report, and Best Doctors in America.
His clinical expertise involves colon cancer screening and inflammatory bowel disease.
Committed to his specialty and community, Dr. Shocket is a Board member of the District of Columbia chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and the principal investigator of the Colon Cancer Prevention in the Neighborhood, a community-based colon cancer screening project in Ward 5.
In addition to spending time with his family, Dr. Shocket enjoys playing tennis. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.
Dr. Shocket is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both Primary Care and Gastroenterology. He completed his residency and fellowship training at Boston University School of Medicine in the late 1980s. He received his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1984.
Clinical areas of focus
- Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Enteroscopy
- Enteroscopy With Bleeding Control
- Flexible Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) In Children
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Lower Gi Endoscopy
- Stomach Ulcers
- Upper Gi Endoscopy
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abdominal Distension
- Abdominal Pain
- Abnormal Stool
- Achalasia
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Alimentary Tract Foreign Body
- Altered Bowel Habits
- Anal Abscess
- Anal Fissures
- Anus And Rectum Diseases
- Aphagia
- Aphagia And Dysphagia
- Appendiceal Cancer
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Benign Neoplasm Of Colon, Rectum, Anus And Anal Canal
- Benign Neoplasm Of Digestive System
- Bile Duct Stones
- Biliary Tract Disease
- Bowel Obstruction
- Celiac Disease
- Choledocholithiasis
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Colitis
- Colon Cancer
- Colon Disease
- Colon Polyps
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal Malignancy
- Constipation
- Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's Disease [Regional Enteritis]
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Digestive System Complications
- Digestive System Diseases
- Digestive System Symptoms
- Diseases Of Esophagus
- Diseases Of Stomach And Duodenum
- Diverticular Disease
- Duodenal Ulcer
- Duodenitis
- Dysphagia
- Esophageal Cancer
- Esophageal Stricture
- Esophagitis
- Esophagus Diseases
- External Hemorrhoids
- Flatulence
- Functional Dyspepsia
- Functional Intestinal Disorders
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gastric Cancer
- Gastric Varices
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) In Children
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
- Helicobacter Pylori
- Hemangioma
- Hemorrhoids
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatomegaly And Splenomegaly
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Intestinal Dysmotility
- Intestinal Infections
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Malabsorption
- Malignant Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Noninfective Gastroenteritis
- Pancreatic Diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Paralytic Ileus And Intestinal Obstruction
- Perianal Pain
- Peripheral Vascular Disease Of The Intestines
- Polycystic Liver Disease
- Postoperative Ileus
- Postprandial Diarrhea
- Rectal Cancer
- Rectal Pain
- Regional Enteritis
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Stomach Ulcers
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Viral Hepatitis
Procedures I perform
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Colonoscopy With Injection
- EGD With Biopsy
- Endoscopic Argon Plasma Coagulation
- Endoscopic Clip Placement
- Endoscopic Evaluation Of Intestinal Pouch
- Endoscopic Injection Therapy
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Endoscopic Stomach Feeding Device Insertion
- Endoscopic Stricture Dilation
- Enteroscopy
- Enteroscopy With Bleeding Control
- Esophageal Dilation
- Esophageal PH Monitoring
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy With Biopsy
- Flexible Colonoscopy With Biopsy
- Gastric Manometry
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Test
- Gastrointestinal Motility Study
- Gastrointestinal Mucosal Ablation
- Gastrointestinal Tube Placement
- Gastrostomy Tube Replacement
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Intra-Abdominal Abscess Drainage
- Lower Gi Endoscopy
- Lower Gi Therapeutic Substance Introduction
- Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
- Sigmoidoscopy With Biopsy
- Stomach Drainage
- Transrectal Ultrasound
- 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
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- IH-Open POS II
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- United Student Resources
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- POS OA
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- IH-HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- IH-POS
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- IH-Open POS Plus
- IH-Indemnity
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna HMO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Administrators
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- IH-PPO
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- Choice Fund PPO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Choice POS II
- HighMark
- Choice POS
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Navigate
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- IH-POS Plus
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Employee Health Plan
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- TRICARE East Select
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- United Healthcare Choice
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- CIGNA PPO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Medicare FFS
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CIGNA EPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- TRICARE East Prime
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CareFirst EPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Aetna Basic
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- OA Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Sentara Health
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Optimum Choice
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Network OA
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Fellowship: Veterans Affairs Boston System (1989)
Residency: Boston University Medical Center (1987)
Internship: Boston University Medical Center (1985)
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine (1984)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Doc 2025