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Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD

Accepting New Patients

(718 Ratings)

Specializes in: Adult Gastroenterology

Eastern Virginia Medical School (1978)

Professional interests include: esophageal cancer, liver mass, Crohn's disease, and more.

1133 21st Street NW Building 2, 5th floor
Washington, DC 20036

(202) 429-2844

Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD is a gastroenterologist in Washington, DC specializing in adult gastroenterology. He graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1978 and has 47 years of experience. Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD is affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Health and MEDSTAR MEDICAL GROUP II LLC.

Office Locations

Address:

1133 21st Street NW Building 2, 5th floor
Washington, DC 20036

Some issues Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD can help you with:

Anemia

Anemia is the most common blood disorder. It occurs when the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. Blood loss, insufficient red blood cell production, and red blood cell destruction are the three main causes of anemia. These issues may arise from such conditions as iron deficiency, heavy periods, ulcers, kidney disease, as well as some forms of cancer.

An individual with anemia will have the following symptoms: shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, cold hands or feet, paleness, and irritability. Anemia is diagnosed when blood tests show low counts for hemoglobin, which is the protein responsible for carrying oxygen to different tissues throughout the body.

Treatments for anemia are dependent on the kind of anemia an individual has. For example, iron supplementation may correct iron deficiency anemia. For anemia caused by chronic kidney failure, chemotherapy treatments, and HIV/AIDS, a group of medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents may be prescribed.

Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa, commonly referred to as anorexia, is a disorder where people severely restrict the types and quantity of food they eat. People with anorexia have an extreme fear of eating and gaining weight, and may perceive weight loss as a way to achieve happiness. They may repeatedly weigh themselves or engage in harmful behaviors such as excessive exercise or starvation. Those with anorexia often find themselves preoccupied with food, but unable to consume a normal amount of it, resulting in symptoms such as:

-Abnormally low BMI (body mass index)

-Vitamin deficiency

-Fatigue

-Fainting

-Amenorrhea (lack of menstruation in women)

-Emaciation

-Poor wound healing

-Anemia

-Irregular heart rhythms

Anorexia may also cause bluish discoloration of the hands, brittle and falling out hair, yellowish skin, and lanugo (fine, downy hair). These physical symptoms are frequently accompanied by altered behaviors and emotions. Those with anorexia may feel compelled to hide their weight and actions from others. For example, someone with anorexia may wear oversized or baggy clothing to conceal weight loss or may deny hunger or lie about the amount of food that he or she consumes. Some people with anorexia may withdraw from social activities and may experience irritability and depression.

People of all ages, genders, and races may be diagnosed with anorexia; however, the condition affects more women than men. There is no single known cause for anorexia, but biological, psychological, and environmental factors may play a role. Athletes who participate in certain sports that emphasize body shape and size (such as ballet, figure skating, and wrestling) may be more likely to develop anorexia.

Anorexia has two subtypes that are referred to as the restrictive type and binge-purge type.

Restrictive type is the more frequently represented form of anorexia, involving the extreme restriction of food. Binge-purge type anorexia is food restriction accompanied by episodes of binging (eating large quantities of food) and purging (vomiting). Binge-purge type anorexia differs from bulimia as people with this type of anorexia severely limit calories and purge most of what they eat and are generally underweight, while those with bulimia are in a normal weight range. Left untreated, both types of anorexia have severe and life-threatening effects on health. Anorexia can lead to heart failure and even death.

Many people do not consciously develop anorexia, and have difficulty seeking treatment. For this reason, early detection and treatment helps with long-term recovery outcomes. Treatment for anorexia can vary from therapy visits to inpatient treatment, depending on the severity of a person's anorexia. Severe anorexia is typically treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, where patients increase their food consumption and gain weight under medical supervision. Eating disorder specialists provide therapy sessions and oversee a physical and mental treatment plan. Outpatient programs help patients return to a healthy weight through frequent talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions, specialized nutrition plans, and eating disorder support groups. Anorexia treatment aims to not only restore physical health and correct negative behaviors, but to also promote psychological well-being and self-confidence.

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

“Most people are infected with H. pylori, usually from water, when they are young, said James Hartman Frank, a gastroenterologist with MedStar Health in Washington.”—"What to know about Bruce Springsteen's postponed shows, peptic ulcer disease", Washington Post, September 2023

blood draw	29
diagnostic procedures	84
doctor visit	212
gastrointestinal procedures	150
minimally invasive procedures	150
preventive care	67
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	84

**Gender**
Male	123
Female	137

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	147
Black	92
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	169
From 75 to 84	64
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	16
Depression	11
Chronic Kidney Disease	6
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	5
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	20
Dementia	0
Cancer	10

**Gender**
Male	126
Female	147

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	146
Black	103
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	194
From 75 to 84	52
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	11
Chronic Kidney Disease	8
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	4
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	20
Dementia	5
Cancer	9

blood draw	21
diagnostic procedures	111
doctor visit	169
gastrointestinal procedures	169
minimally invasive procedures	169
preventive care	59
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	111

**Gender**
Male	250
Female	256

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	276
Black	172
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	26
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	332
From 75 to 84	120
85 and over	22
Less than 65	32

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	11
Chronic Kidney Disease	7
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	5
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	23
Dementia	6
Cancer	10

diagnostic procedures	84
doctor visit	181
gastrointestinal procedures	154
minimally invasive procedures	154
preventive care	71
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	84

**Gender**
Male	122
Female	134

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	133
Black	101
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	177
From 75 to 84	59
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	40
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	18
Depression	12
Chronic Kidney Disease	9
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	5
Heart Failure	10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	20
Dementia	4
Cancer	10

diagnostic procedures	140
doctor visit	244
gastrointestinal procedures	195
minimally invasive procedures	195
preventive care	56
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	140

**Gender**
Male	145
Female	156

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	168
Black	95
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	22
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	206
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	11
Less than 65	14

Hypertension	51
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	4
Diabetes	26
Dementia	5
Cancer	11

diagnostic procedures	153
doctor visit	237
gastrointestinal procedures	212
minimally invasive procedures	212
preventive care	60
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	153

**Gender**
Male	155
Female	162

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	171
Black	114
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	18
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	221
From 75 to 84	78
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	50
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	16
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	4
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	4
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	4
Diabetes	20
Dementia	0
Cancer	10

diagnostic procedures	182
doctor visit	273
gastrointestinal procedures	242
minimally invasive procedures	242
preventive care	61
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	182

**Gender**
Male	152
Female	174

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	166
Black	113
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	23
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	224
From 75 to 84	79
85 and over	12
Less than 65	11

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	4
Heart Failure	6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	22
Dementia	4
Cancer	10

diagnostic procedures	92
doctor visit	195
gastrointestinal procedures	135
minimally invasive procedures	135
preventive care	44
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	92

**Gender**
Male	119
Female	129

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	126
Black	98
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	158
From 75 to 84	72
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	10
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	12

diagnostic procedures	275
doctor visit	422
gastrointestinal procedures	414
minimally invasive procedures	414
preventive care	129
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	275

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD treated as a gastroenterologist in Washington, DC were minimally invasive procedures, gastrointestinal procedures, removal of lesion (e.g. growth) and diagnostic procedures.

blood draw	24
diagnostic procedures	137
doctor visit	238
gastrointestinal procedures	208
minimally invasive procedures	208
preventive care	69
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	137

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD.

**Gender**
Female	129
Male	119

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	88
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	133
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	8

**Age**
85 and over	4
75 to 84	59
Less than 65	5
65 to 74	168

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD From 2013 - 2021

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

Hypertension	42
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	9
Chronic Kidney Disease	9
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	3
Heart Failure	4
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	2
Diabetes	17
Atrial Fibrillation	3
Cancer	8
Dementia	2

Education & Training

Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School in 1978. He completed residency at Washington DC VA Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine and has a state license in District of Columbia.

Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School (1978)

Residency: Washington DC VA Medical Center (1981)

Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine

Licensed In: District of Columbia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

MedStar Health

MEDSTAR MEDICAL GROUP II LLC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna Medicare PPO, CIGNA EPO, CIGNA Indemnity, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Medicare Advantage, MAMSI, AARP, HealthSpring, Coventry National Network PPO, Aetna, United Healthcare Choice Plus, Blue Choice, United Healthcare Choice, First Health PPO, TRICARE Prime, United Healthcare, Great-West Healthcare, Medicaid, Cigna, TRICARE, Coventry, Aetna Managed Choice POS, First Health, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Permanente, Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO), MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, Medicare Fee for Service, Choice Fund PPO, CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO, CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity, M.D. IPA (HMO), Open HMO, M.D. IPA Preferred (POS), POS OA & OA Plus, MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan), Network OA, Innovation Health: PPO, CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO, Opoen HMO Option, CFBCBS EPO, Innovation Health: Indemnity, CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS), Innovation Health: POS, Innovation Health: Open POS Plus, Choice POS & Choice POS II, United Student Resources, Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network, HealthyBlue PPO, CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus), Open EPO Plus, Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus, Open POS II, PPO and PPO Plus and Innovation Health: POS Plus.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Aetna Medicare PPO

CIGNA EPO

CIGNA Indemnity

Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)

Medicare Advantage

MAMSI

AARP

HealthSpring

Coventry National Network PPO

Aetna

United Healthcare Choice Plus

Blue Choice

United Healthcare Choice

First Health PPO

TRICARE Prime

United Healthcare

Great-West Healthcare

Medicaid

Cigna

TRICARE

Coventry

Aetna Managed Choice POS

First Health

Aetna HMO

Kaiser Permanente

Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)

MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice

Medicare Fee for Service

Choice Fund PPO

CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO

CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity

M.D. IPA (HMO)

Open HMO

M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)

POS OA & OA Plus

MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan)

Network OA

Innovation Health: PPO

CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO

Opoen HMO Option

CFBCBS EPO

Innovation Health: Indemnity

CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)

Innovation Health: POS

Innovation Health: Open POS Plus

Choice POS & Choice POS II

United Student Resources

Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network

HealthyBlue PPO

CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus)

Open EPO Plus

Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus

Open POS II

PPO and PPO Plus

Innovation Health: POS Plus

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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.69 out of 5 stars based on 718 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. James Hartman Frank, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Washington, DC.

4.69

Overall Rating

(718 Ratings)

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Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-04-23