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Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD

(1 Rating)

Specializes in: Adult Gastroenterology

Tulane University School of Medicine (1991)

Professional interests include: gastrointestinal problems (digestive disorders), esophageal manometry, esophagus problems, and more.

2403 Castillo Street Suite 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

(805) 682-3585

Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD is a gastroenterologist in Santa Barbara, CA specializing in adult gastroenterology. He graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1991 and has 33 years of experience. Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD is affiliated with Sutter Health, Unio Specialty Care, GENESIS HEALTHCARE PARTNERS and SANTA BARBARA COUNTY COUNTY AUDITOR.

Office Locations

Address:

2403 Castillo Street Suite 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Some issues Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD can help you with:

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the use of a special tool called a colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end) to examine the inside of the colon and rectum. The tube is typically inserted anally, and it allows the physician to examine the large intestine from the inside. It may be done at any time to diagnose bowel problems, but routine colonoscopies are advised after the age of 50 to screen for colon cancer.

A colonoscopy may be performed to diagnose:

Intestinal ulcers
Polyps
Bowel cancer
An unidentified source of pain or bleeding in the intestine

Patients may be asked to drink only liquids in the days before a colonoscopy, or they may be given an enema to remove residual fecal matter. Before the exam, patients are given medication to help them relax, and then lay on their side on a table. The scope is inserted into the anus and gently moved all the way through the large intestine. Air may be pumped into the intestine to improve the view for the physician. Any polyps that are found will be removed. Then the colonoscope will be withdrawn. A colonoscopy is not usually painful, but patients may feel some bloating or have some cramps right afterward. If patients have polyps removed, they might experience a small amount of bleeding. Any side effects should go away within a few hours.

Gastrointestinal Problems (Digestive Disorders)

The gastrointestinal system, or GI tract, is the name given to a collection of organs that work together to digest food. These organs fit together in a long tube, running from the mouth to the anus, and include the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, among others. With so many parts working together, complicated by today's busy lifestyles and diets, digestive problems are common. As many as 1 in 3 Americans have a digestive or GI disorder. There are a huge variety of digestive problems, but the most common are IBS, constipation, GERD, hemorrhoids, and ulcers.

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, happens when the muscles surrounding the colon contract too easily or frequently. The result is abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating. IBS attacks can often be brought on by specific triggers, so a key part of treatment is learning which foods trigger IBS attacks and avoiding them. Treatment also includes exercise, avoiding stress, and medications if needed.

Constipation, or large, hard, or infrequent stools, happens to everyone at some point. It can be caused by a disruption in routine or food, or by eating a diet without many fresh fruits and vegetables. Although it is uncomfortable, constipation is common and usually not serious, but it can sometimes become chronic. Adding fiber to the diet, exercising, and taking medications may help.

GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe form of chronic heartburn where stomach acid spills back up into the esophagus. Left untreated, the acid may even eat away at the esophagus and cause serious damage. Treatment includes changing the diet to avoid trigger foods, losing weight if needed, medications, or even surgery.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels around the rectum that become irritated, swollen or torn while straining during a bowel movement. They are most often caused by constipation, but can also be caused by pregnancy, diarrhea, or simply a genetic predisposition towards hemorrhoids. Treatment involves first treating any constipation issues, then keeping the area clean and soothed until it has healed. If these measures are ineffective, surgery is sometimes used.

Peptic ulcers are sores or spots of inflammation in the lining of the stomach or close to the stomach in the small intestine. Usually this area is coated with a protective lining that shields the tissue from the strong stomach acid, but a break in the lining can let acid in, causing the sores. It used to be thought that stress caused ulcers, but now it is known that is not the case. Most often, they are caused by an infection by H. pylori bacteria, but ulcers can also be caused by alcohol abuse or overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other NSAIDS. The symptoms of an ulcer are pain, hunger, nausea, and fatigue.

Gastrointestinal problems, perhaps more than any other area, are markedly affected by lifestyle. Many disorders can be prevented or treated at least in part by eating a healthy diet high in fiber, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and limiting alcohol intake. Still, the frequency of digestive disorders means that even the healthiest person can be affected by them. Anyone who notices blood in their stool, experiences abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in bowel movements should see a doctor.

In The News

“Cottage and Sansum may not see it that way, but that is the fear among the independent physicians," said Dr. Brent Kovacs, speaking on behalf of the SBPHP executive board. "”—"Cottage/Sansum merger could drive up cost of care", Pacific Coast Business Times, September 2016

“"There is a reason why physicians in Ventura are paid more than physicians in Santa Barbara," said Dr. Brent Kovacs on behalf of the SBPHP executive board.”—"Cost concerns hold up Cottage-Sansum merger", Pacific Coast Business Times, July 2016

balloon dilation	16
diagnostic procedures	224
doctor visit	453
esophageal dilation	43
gastrointestinal procedures	415
hospital care	116
inpatient care	116
minimally invasive procedures	415
preventive care	88
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	225

**Gender**
Male	227
Female	335

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	455
Black	0
Hispanic	65
Asian	15
Other	14
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	243
From 75 to 84	171
85 and over	81
Less than 65	67

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	24
Dementia	8
Cancer	12

balloon dilation	13
diagnostic procedures	296
doctor visit	537
esophageal dilation	38
gastrointestinal procedures	474
hospital care	211
inpatient care	211
minimally invasive procedures	474
preventive care	90
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	297

**Gender**
Male	300
Female	354

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	518
Black	0
Hispanic	93
Asian	14
Other	15
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	321
From 75 to 84	192
85 and over	74
Less than 65	67

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	25
Dementia	7
Cancer	12

diagnostic procedures	315
doctor visit	523
esophageal dilation	38
gastrointestinal procedures	492
hospital care	250
inpatient care	250
minimally invasive procedures	492
preventive care	108
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	316

**Gender**
Male	710
Female	832

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1286
Black	28
Hispanic	154
Asian	0
Other	44
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	748
From 75 to 84	396
85 and over	218
Less than 65	180

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	23
Dementia	9
Cancer	14

diagnostic procedures	322
doctor visit	491
esophageal dilation	34
gastrointestinal procedures	523
hospital care	207
inpatient care	207
minimally invasive procedures	523
preventive care	100
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	312

**Gender**
Male	345
Female	386

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	582
Black	0
Hispanic	99
Asian	13
Other	22
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	361
From 75 to 84	196
85 and over	105
Less than 65	69

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	22
Dementia	9
Cancer	12

diagnostic procedures	287
doctor visit	367
esophageal dilation	32
gastrointestinal procedures	453
hospital care	156
inpatient care	156
minimally invasive procedures	453
preventive care	88
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	288

**Gender**
Male	338
Female	319

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	534
Black	12
Hispanic	75
Asian	0
Other	23
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	323
From 75 to 84	200
85 and over	73
Less than 65	61

Hypertension	51
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	21
Dementia	8
Cancer	12

diagnostic procedures	307
doctor visit	407
esophageal dilation	25
gastrointestinal procedures	477
hospital care	163
inpatient care	163
minimally invasive procedures	477
preventive care	88
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	308

**Gender**
Male	329
Female	350

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	569
Black	0
Hispanic	64
Asian	0
Other	30
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	335
From 75 to 84	213
85 and over	87
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	23
Dementia	7
Cancer	12

**Gender**
Male	333
Female	379

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	586
Black	0
Hispanic	79
Asian	0
Other	26
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	352
From 75 to 84	236
85 and over	69
Less than 65	55

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	23
Dementia	6
Cancer	11

diagnostic procedures	285
doctor visit	466
esophageal dilation	32
gastrointestinal procedures	402
hospital care	145
inpatient care	145
minimally invasive procedures	402
preventive care	52
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	286

**Gender**
Male	287
Female	352

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	533
Black	0
Hispanic	72
Asian	0
Other	22
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	306
From 75 to 84	242
85 and over	62
Less than 65	29

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	21
Dementia	7
Cancer	14

balloon dilation	50
chronic care	306
diagnostic procedures	874
doctor visit	1361
esophageal dilation	123
gastrointestinal procedures	1421
hospital care	322
inpatient care	322
minimally invasive procedures	1421
preventive care	285
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	875

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD treated as a gastroenterologist in Santa Barbara, CA were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, diagnostic procedures and removal of lesion (e.g. growth).

balloon dilation	26
chronic care	306
diagnostic procedures	359
doctor visit	557
esophageal dilation	46
gastrointestinal procedures	578
hospital care	191
inpatient care	191
minimally invasive procedures	578
preventive care	111
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	358

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD.

**Gender**
Male	286
Female	330

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	4
Asian / Pacific Islander	4
Non-Hispanic White	506
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	70
Other	19

**Age**
75 to 84	184
85 and over	76
Less than 65	52
65 to 74	298

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	42
High Cholesterol	40
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	18
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Cancer	9
Dementia	6

Education & Training

Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1991. He has a state license in California.

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine (1991)

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Sutter Health

Unio Specialty Care

GENESIS HEALTHCARE PARTNERS

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY COUNTY AUDITOR

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Santa Barbara, CA.

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Braintree Laboratories, Inc.	$89 SUPREP BOWEL PREP $53	SUTAB $36
Mauna Kea Technologies, Inc.	$81 $81
Gilead Sciences Inc	$72 Sovaldi $72
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$14 Kanuma $14

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$153
Gift	$89
Education	$14

Biography

Dr. Brent Kovacs practices adult gastroenterology. His clinical interests include gastrointestinal problems (digestive disorders), esophageal manometry, and liver disease. He is affiliated with Unio Specialty Care and Sutter Health. Dr. Kovacs attended medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine.

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Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD can help you with:

In The News

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Brent Jerome Kovacs, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

Other Providers in Santa Barbara, CA