A large national study found that patients with a positive multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test were significantly more likely to complete the recommended follow-up colonoscopy than those with a positive FIT/FOBT test. Follow-up colonoscopy was completed by 77.1% of mt-sDNA patients compared with 45.1% of FIT/FOBT patients, with faster follow-up across every racial and ethnic group. The study also found that patients screened with mt-sDNA were nearly four times more likely to complete a follow-up colonoscopy after adjusting for demographic and insurance differences. While disparities in follow-up persisted across racial and ethnic groups, the findings suggest that screening modality and…
Author: Abhay Panchal
CMS has proposed a series of significant changes to the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, including a 1.68% reduction in physician payments (1.19% for clinicians in advanced alternative payment models) following the expiration of the temporary 2026 payment increase. Beyond reimbursement, the proposal would revise how physicians are paid by converting the G2211 complexity add-on into a percentage-based modifier, reducing payment for certain same-day evaluation and management visits performed with procedures, restricting the use of contractors for remote monitoring services, and beginning a shift away from the AMA’s long-standing practice expense survey methodology. The proposal also signals broader payment reform,…
Agenus has secured up to $340 million in oversubscribed private financing to advance its Phase 3 ROBBIN trial evaluating the immunotherapy combination botensilimab (BOT) plus balstilimab (BAL) as neoadjuvant treatment for microsatellite-stable (MSS) colon cancer. The company is prioritizing this program based on encouraging Phase 2 data showing deep pathological responses and no reported disease recurrences to date, while discontinuing financial support for its separate late-stage metastatic colorectal cancer trial to focus resources on the earlier-stage opportunity. The funding is expected to support the program through key clinical milestones and, if warrants are fully exercised, provide operational runway through 2031.…
This opinion piece argues that the biggest long-term question for physician practices isn’t private equity acquisition itself, but what happens when those investments exit. The author notes that many physician practice investments are resold within a few years, and argues that repeated ownership changes can increase physician turnover and disrupt continuity of care. While acknowledging that private equity can provide capital, infrastructure, and liquidity for independent practices, the piece contends that physicians and investors should pay closer attention to how ownership transitions are structured and whether care models remain stable after an exit. The broader takeaway is that, as private…
The American Gastroenterological Association has launched Nigel, an AI-powered virtual assistant designed specifically for gastroenterology and hepatology, providing clinicians with rapid, evidence-based answers grounded in AGA clinical guidelines. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Nigel is built on peer-reviewed guidance using the GRADE evidence framework and offers transparent recommendations that include the strength of evidence and areas of uncertainty. The tool is designed to support point-of-care clinical decision-making by summarizing guidelines, interpreting evidence, validating diagnostic and treatment approaches, and reducing the time clinicians spend searching the literature. With a knowledge base that updates as new AGA guidance is published, Nigel reflects the…
AMSURG has expanded its gastroenterology footprint by acquiring five endoscopy centers in North Carolina, just weeks after becoming part of Ascension. The acquisition adds 15 gastroenterologists and hepatologists across five facilities that provide colonoscopy, endoscopy, therapeutic GI procedures, and capsule endoscopy services. The deal highlights how consolidation in outpatient GI care continues beyond physician practices, with large ASC operators expanding regional networks to increase procedural capacity and market presence. It also signals that AMSURG’s nearly $4 billion acquisition by Ascension is already translating into growth through targeted investments in high-demand ambulatory endoscopy centers.
Hawaii has passed legislation eliminating out-of-pocket costs for follow-up colonoscopies after a positive colorectal cancer screening test, aiming to remove a key barrier that often prevents patients from completing the screening process. The law, which takes effect in 2027, also creates a financial assistance program for uninsured and underinsured residents seeking colorectal cancer screening and treatment. The state also approved broader healthcare measures, including fertility preservation coverage for patients undergoing treatments that may cause infertility and a medical debt forgiveness program expected to erase up to $91 million in debt for as many as 50,000 residents. Together, the policies reflect…
A large real-world study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that virtual multidisciplinary GI care can deliver meaningful improvements in patient outcomes at national scale. The analysis of more than 11,000 patients treated across all 50 U.S. states showed that 92.4% reported symptom improvement and nearly 90% achieved symptom control, with most patients reporting minimal disruption to daily life after care. The study also found that integrating gastroenterologists with dietitians and behavioral health specialists was a key driver of better outcomes. Patients who engaged more frequently with the care team experienced the greatest symptom improvement, while the…
A large real-world study across the U.S. Veterans Health Administration found that making AI-powered computer-aided detection (CADe) available during colonoscopy significantly increased adenoma detection rates, addressing concerns that the technology’s benefits seen in clinical trials may not translate to routine practice. Across more than 330,000 colonoscopies, facilities equipped with CADe experienced a meaningful improvement in adenoma detection compared with control sites, while detection of other lesions and procedure withdrawal times remained unchanged. The findings suggest that AI can enhance colonoscopy quality in everyday clinical settings, although researchers note that its long-term impact on colorectal cancer outcomes and the potential risk…