President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., may target changes to Medicare’s physician reimbursement system, according to reports from The Washington Post and others. Discussions include revising thousands of billing codes that dictate physician payments, a process currently influenced by the AMA’s Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC). Critics argue that reimbursement models favor specialized medicine, diverting resources and talent away from primary care.
Author: Abhay Panchal
A STAT investigation, in collaboration with Tribunus Health, reveals that UnitedHealth Group pays its own Optum-branded physician practices significantly more than it pays independent doctors for similar services in the same markets. This practice highlights a potential conflict of interest, as UnitedHealth’s dual role as insurer and healthcare provider enables it to prioritize profits over reducing costs. The analysis, based on federal reporting data, underscores how this strategy undermines competition and contributes to rising healthcare expenses for consumers and businesses.
Gastroenterology is on the brink of a revolution, as highlighted by Neil D. Parikh, MD, chair of the GI Alliance Innovation Committee. Innovations like AI-driven diagnostics, microbiome analytics, and non-invasive cancer screenings are transforming patient care. Tools such as real-time Barrett’s esophagus detection and swallowable pill cameras promise earlier diagnoses and better outcomes. These breakthroughs, though challenging to implement, could redefine how we tackle GI disorders—bringing personalized, precise, and accessible care closer than ever. Are we ready to embrace the change?
The rise of GI Hospitalists—gastroenterologists specializing in inpatient care—is positively impacting GI fellowship education, according to a survey conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers. Published in Gastroenterology, the study revealed that fellows perceive significant educational benefits from GI Hospitalists, including enhanced endoscopy teaching and longitudinal feedback. While the GI Hospitalist model improves clinical efficiency, reduces burnout, and boosts care quality, concerns remain about reduced exposure to diverse faculty and mentorship. Surveying fellows from five academic institutions, the research highlights the potential for a balanced educational model, integrating both GI Hospitalist and non-Hospitalist faculty to create more robust fellowship programs.
Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist and neurogastroenterologist at Mass General, unpacks the complexities of IBS-C diagnosis, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting the crucial role of the brain-gut connection in patient care. The discussion delves into the latest diagnostic criteria, tools, and emerging research, offering healthcare providers practical strategies to enhance symptom relief and support their IBS-C patients effectively.
Under the Federal Stark Law, a “group practice” is a legally defined structure allowing physicians to refer Medicare patients for designated health services (DHS) within their organization if specific criteria are met. To qualify, the group must operate as a single legal entity, consist of at least two physicians, and ensure that 75% of patient care services are furnished through the group. Billing and income must be centralized, and profit distribution or bonuses cannot directly relate to DHS referrals. Compliance strategies include forming a legal entity, centralizing finances, allocating DHS profits equitably, and implementing referral monitoring policies. Adhering to these…
Health systems continue to partner with Big Tech, focusing on AI-driven clinical documentation, virtual care, and EHR optimizations. Key collaborations reported in the past month include:
Barricade Therapeutics has received a $14M grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) to support Phase 1 clinical trials for its innovative therapeutic candidate, BT-1501, targeting APCmut advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). This funding builds on $5.9M previously raised and underscores the potential of BT-1501, which leverages the TASIN platform technology licensed from UT Southwestern Medical Center. BT-1501 has shown promise in preclinical studies, significantly reducing tumor growth with minimal toxicity, offering hope as a more effective, less invasive treatment for metastatic CRC. With an FDA IND application expected by mid-2025, Phase 1 trials aim to evaluate…
Interim results from the phase 3 ESSENCE trial reveal that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is effective in treating metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in patients with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis. At 72 weeks, semaglutide achieved superior outcomes compared to placebo for two primary endpoints: resolving steatohepatitis without worsening fibrosis and improving fibrosis without worsening steatohepatitis. Additionally, significant benefits in weight loss (10.5%), liver enzyme improvements, and cardiometabolic risk factors were observed, with a similar safety profile between treatment and placebo groups.The study highlights the potential of semaglutide to address both liver and cardiometabolic issues, offering hope for expanded therapeutic…
NTT Corporation and Olympus Corporation have successfully demonstrated a groundbreaking cloud endoscopy system using NTT’s IOWN APN technology, achieving real-time processing of 4K/60fps endoscopic videos over a 150km distance with minimal latency (1.1 milliseconds). This marks a significant step toward the adoption of cloud-based endoscopy systems, enabling enhanced performance and functionality for medical imaging.By combining Olympus’ advanced endoscope technology with NTT’s high-speed, low-latency network, the experiment validated the feasibility of remote video processing without delay, ensuring smooth operator experiences. This innovation could facilitate remote diagnostics, shared imaging between hospitals, and broader access to advanced medical care, addressing technical hurdles like…