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Dr. Preetha Ali, MD

Accepting New Patients
Specializes in: Colon & Rectal Surgery
University of Maryland School of Medicine (2008)
Professional interests include: foreign bodies, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and more.
106 Irving Street, NW Physicians Office Building Suite 2100N
Washington, DC 20010

Dr. Preetha Ali, MD is a colon and rectal surgeon in Washington, DC specializing in colon & rectal surgery. She graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2008 and has 17 years of experience. Dr. Preetha Ali, MD is affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Health and MEDSTAR MEDICAL GROUP II LLC.

View Doctor's Full Profile (202) 877-8484

Office Locations

Address:

106 Irving Street, NW Physicians Office Building Suite 2100N
Washington, DC 20010

Address:

1133 21st Street NW Building 2, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20036

Some issues Dr. Preetha Ali, MD can help you with:

Colectomy (Colon Resection)

Colectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the colon, or the longest part of the large intestine. The colon may be affected by diseases such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. In a colectomy, all or part of the colon that is infected, blocked, or cancerous is removed.

A colectomy may be performed by laparoscopic or open surgery. A laparoscopic colectomy requires several small cuts on the abdomen, and uses a thin tube with a camera, called a laparoscope. Laparoscopic colectomies are less invasive than open procedures. For some individuals, a laparoscopic colectomy may not be possible, and instead an open colectomy is performed. In an open colectomy, a large incision is made on the abdomen. Open colectomies typically require longer recovery periods.

After the incisions are made, a portion of the colon is removed, and the remaining ends of the colon are attached to each other in a procedure called anastomosis. Waste can continue to travel through the body as normal. However, in some situations, it may be necessary for the end of the colon to be attached to an opening in the abdomen, called a stoma. This procedure is called an ostomy. Types of ostomies include:

  • Colostomy, in which the remaining portion of the colon is attached to the abdominal opening.
  • Ileostomy, in which the small intestine is attached to the abdominal opening.

An ostomy bag will be attached to the skin to collect waste. If the entire colon is removed, either an ileostomy is performed, or the small intestine is connected to the anus and waste may pass through as normal.

Stomas may be permanent or temporary. If the stoma is temporary, the ends of the colon will be rejoined in a later procedure. Temporary stomas are generally used to allow time for the colon to heal following surgery.

A colectomy may take between one and four hours. Following the procedure, patients will need to consume a liquid and low fiber diet before gradually returning to their normal diet. Patients will need to stay in the hospital for three to seven days for monitoring. Full recovery and return to normal activity may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

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.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a kind of minimally invasive surgery using a thin, narrow tube called a laparoscope. Usually performed on the abdomen or the pelvic region, the surgeon makes a few very small incisions instead of one large one.

During the procedure, the surgeon inserts the laparoscope, which contains a light and camera that allows the surgeon to see what is happening inside the body. Then tiny tools are placed through the small openings and used to perform the surgery.

The most common laparoscopic surgery is gallbladder removal, but laparoscopic surgery may also be used for the removal of a kidney or appendix, to treat certain cysts and tumors, for bariatric surgery, for some GERD treatments, or for hernia repairs, among others.

Because laparoscopic surgery only uses a few tiny incisions, the scars are minimal and recovery is easier than with open surgery.

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2015 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Preetha Ali, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Preetha Ali, MD treated as a colon and rectal surgeon in Washington, DC were gastrointestinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures, removal of lesion (e.g. growth) and diagnostic procedures.

diagnostic procedures 11
doctor visit 79
gastrointestinal procedures 60
minimally invasive procedures 48
removal of lesion (e.g. growth) 11

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2015 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Preetha Ali, MD.

Gender
Male 7
Female 19
Age
85 and over
75 to 84 9
Less than 65
65 to 74 11

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Preetha Ali, MD From 2015 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Preetha Ali, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and depression.

Hypertension 25
High Cholesterol 20
Stroke
Ischemic Heart Disease 8
Depression 8
Chronic Kidney Disease 9
Asthma
Osteoporosis
Heart Failure 4
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Diabetes 6
Atrial Fibrillation 3
Dementia
Cancer 4

Education & Training

Dr. Preetha Ali, MD graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2008. She completed residency at Stamford Hospital, Connecticut. She is certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery American Board of Surgery, Surgery and has a state license in District of Columbia.

Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine (2008)

Residency: Stamford Hospital, Connecticut (2013)

Board Certification: American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery American Board of Surgery, Surgery

Licensed In: District of Columbia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Preetha Ali, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
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. Preetha Ali, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: CIGNA Choice Fund PPO, MAMSI, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Golden Rule, Great-West Healthcare, TRICARE, Community Care Network (CCN), Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Select, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, CIGNA Indemnity, AARP, Medicare Advantage, Coventry National Network PPO, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Cigna, Virginia Premier Health Plan, WellPoint, Aetna, CIGNA Network Open Access, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), HealthyBlue PPO, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, Traditional Medicare Fee for Service, United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO), Innovation Health: Open POS Plus, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, Carefirst EPO, Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus, United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, United Select HMO - EPO/NPP, United MD IPA Preferred (POS), United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO), Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP), Innovation Health: Network Only Plus, United MD IPA (HMO), United Choice Plus, CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans), Innovation Health: PPO, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, United Choice, United Optimum Choice, Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus), Innovation Health: POS, Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS), Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus, United Select Plus (POS), CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced, United Erickson Advantage Plans, Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice, Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN), Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS), D-SNP), I-SNP, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, United Core Essential (HMO), Innovation Health: POS Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP, Innovation Health: Open POS II, Innovation Health: Indemnity, United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, United Navigate, Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO, Police and Fire Clinic, Employee Health Plan (EHP) and CareFirst MedStar Select PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Preetha Ali, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

CIGNA Choice Fund PPO
MAMSI
First Health PPO
Blue Choice
Golden Rule
Great-West Healthcare
TRICARE
Community Care Network (CCN)
Coventry
TRICARE Reserve Select
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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Preetha Ali, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.81 out of 5 stars based on 115 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Preetha Ali, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Washington, DC. 

4.81
Overall Rating
Leave a Review
Reviews From Around The Web
Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-01-29
Patient verified via Press Ganey
Clear & helpful explanation. Took her time in answering my questions. Provide a lot of info in an understandable manner kind & professional - great bedside manners. I was nervous & she put me at ease.
Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-06-26
Patient verified via Press Ganey
*Dr. Ali always responsive to my questions and concerns.
Overall Rating: 5.0 2023-10-13
Patient verified via Press Ganey
It was great!

General Payments

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

Payments by Company
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. $9,934 Da Vinci Surgical System
$9,934
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. $292 PREPOPIK
$292
Covidien Sales LLC $173 Vessel Sealing
$97 		Endo Stapling
$75
Axonics, Inc. $162 Axonics
$162
KCI USA, Inc $129 PREVENA
$129
Other $293 SEPRAFILM ADHESION BARRIER
$111 		INTERSTIM
$73 		Endoscopy Endocutters
$29 		Endoscopy: Endocutters
$26 		OFIRMEV
$20 		Other
$33
Types of Payments
Education $7,000
Travel and Lodging $2,489
Food and Beverage $1,494

Biography

Dr. Preetha Ali is a specialist in colon & rectal surgery. On average, patients gave her a rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). Clinical interests for Dr. Ali include perianal abscess, diverticular disease, and hemorrhoidectomy (surgical hemorrhoid removal). Blue California, Coventry, and Coventry Health Care Plans appears to be the insurance carriers that Dr. Ali takes. Dr. Ali is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a graduate of Stamford Hospital, Connecticut's residency program. Dr. Ali (or staff) is conversant in Spanish and Tamil. Her hospital/clinic affiliations include MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. Dr. Ali's practice in Washington, DC is open to new patients as reported by Doctor.com.

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