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
- 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
- Duodenitis
- 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
- 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 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
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst NASCO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- TRICARE East Prime
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- CareFirst Administrators
- Beech Street PPO
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- BlueChoice Open Access
- IH-Open HMO
- IH-POS Plus
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- TRICARE for Life East
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Medicare Direct
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Tricare Reserve Select
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- IH-Open POS II
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Aetna Basic
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CIGNA PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Choice POS II
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- HighMark
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Navigate
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- OA Plus
- IH-POS
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Choice Fund PPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Choice
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Optimum Choice
- First Health PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Classic 5000
- IH-PPO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Medicare FFS
- TRICARE East Select
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Choice POS
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-EPO Plus
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Aetna HMO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- POS OA
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Core Essential (HMO)
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Network OA
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- MultiPlan, Inc
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Sentara Health
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- IH-Indemnity
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- IH-HMO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
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