A new study in JAMA Health Forum raises pressing questions about the rise of private equity (PE) in gastroenterology. Analyzing more than 1.1 million patients, researchers found that PE-backed GI practices drove up colonoscopy prices and physician spending—but without improving quality measures such as polyp detection or complication rates. With 13% of U.S. gastroenterologists now working in PE-owned groups, the specialty leads medicine in private equity penetration. Proponents argue acquisitions boost efficiency and expand access, while critics warn of physician autonomy loss and profit-driven overutilization. As consolidation accelerates, this study spotlights a central tension: are patients and payors really getting…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Guardant Health and Quest Diagnostics have struck a multi-year deal to make Shield™, the first FDA-approved blood test for colorectal cancer screening, widely available across Quest’s massive network. Starting in early 2026, physicians will be able to order Shield directly through Quest’s EHR system, with patients accessing it at 2,000 service centers and 6,000 in-office phlebotomy sites. By replacing invasive prep with a simple blood draw, the partnership could unlock screening for the 50+ million U.S. adults who currently skip recommended testing — a potential game-changer for early CRC detection and outcomes.
Type 1 diabetes treatment is undergoing its most dramatic transformation in a century. For the first time, disease-modifying therapies like teplizumab are delaying clinical onset by targeting the autoimmune process itself, while stem-cell–derived β-cell replacement therapies are showing proof-of-concept for restoring natural insulin production. At the same time, next-generation insulins—ultrarapid, once-weekly, and even glucose-responsive—are converging with automated insulin delivery systems to bring care closer to physiological glucose control than ever before.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic and Trulicity, now staples in diabetes and obesity care, are presenting new challenges in colonoscopy and endoscopy prep. By slowing gastric emptying and bowel motility, these drugs can leave patients with retained contents and incomplete bowel clearance, raising concerns about inadequate visualization and anesthesia risks. CU Anschutz experts advise personalized strategies—from holding daily or weekly doses, to extending prep regimens or shifting to clear liquids—to balance safety with procedure quality. For GI leaders, the message is clear: as GLP-1 use accelerates, endoscopy teams must rethink prep protocols and collaborate closely with anesthesia to avoid missed…
A new single-operator study in Cureus throws a curveball at the AI-in-endoscopy hype: when a high-volume, expert endoscopist turned on real-time polyp-detection (GI Genius™), adenoma and polyp detection rates didn’t budge (ADR 35% pre-AI vs 31% with AI; NS). Yet the AI era shaved over a full minute off average withdrawal time (9.34 vs 10.44 minutes), hinting at a quiet efficiency dividend without sacrificing core quality metrics. Translation: for seasoned colonoscopists already performing at a high ADR, AI looks less like a magic booster and more like a workflow accelerator. The intriguing play may be targeted deployment—use AI to lift…
US Digestive Health (USDH) is leveraging AI-driven colonoscopy to boost early colorectal cancer (CRC) detection, aligning with the USPSTF’s lowered screening age to 45. Its Platinum Standard® AI platform reportedly improves polyp detection rates by 60–70%, giving the group a competitive edge in a $100B+ CRC screening market. USDH recently expanded with 19 Advanced Practice Providers, scaling its AI-first model across more patients and locations. With reimbursement incentives tied to early detection and rising payer interest in value-based care, USDH’s early adoption offers a strong first-mover advantage. Competitors face high entry barriers given the cost of AI development and regulatory…
Roche is making a big bet on fatty liver disease, announcing a $2.4B acquisition of 89bio to secure rights to its late-stage drug pegozafermin, a long-acting FGF21 analog in two Phase 3 studies for MASH. The deal, which could rise to $3.5B with milestone payments, positions Roche as a leading player in one of the fastest-growing therapeutic areas linked to obesity. Pegozafermin’s dual anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory mechanism could set a new standard for treating moderate to severe MASH, potentially generating $4.7B in annual global sales by 2035.
Benjamin Levy III, MD, a gastroenterologist at University of Chicago Medicine, joined Becker’s to discuss strategies to safeguard physician autonomy as gastroenterology practices undergo increasing consolidation. Editor’s note: This interview was edited lightly for clarity and length. Question: What are the biggest challenges in preserving physician autonomy and leadership within GI practices as consolidation accelerates? Dr. Benjamin Levy: The biggest challenge to preserve physician autonomy is to make sure that several Gastroenterologists are placed in advisory leadership positions – and that companies listen and implement their GI advice. . .
A landmark paper in the Journal of Biomedical Informatics presents GutGPT, the first large language model tailored exclusively for gastrointestinal medicine. Built on a foundation of nearly 200,000 curated entries—including real-world doctor–patient dialogues, clinical guidelines, medical knowledge graphs, and licensing exam data—GutGPT was fine-tuned using advanced techniques to balance efficiency, adaptability, and accuracy. In head-to-head comparisons with 16 existing models, it achieved state-of-the-art results, boosting diagnostic accuracy by nearly 10% and showing a marked improvement in empathetic communication with patients. Unlike general-purpose LLMs, GutGPT is designed to capture the complexity of GI diseases, which often require long-term management and patient…
Nearly 300 new CPT codes debut in the 2026 code set, signaling how fast medicine is evolving. The American Medical Association announced 288 additions spanning digital health, AI-enabled diagnostics, hearing devices, and a full overhaul of leg revascularization codes. For the first time, CPT will capture short-duration remote monitoring (as little as 2–15 days), AI-driven cardiac risk analysis, and novel imaging for wound care. With these updates, CPT is no longer just billing shorthand—it’s becoming the backbone of data interoperability and a mirror of how care delivery is shifting toward AI, remote tools, and outpatient innovation.