UnitedHealthcare has adopted a $0 out-of-pocket expense benefit for virtual visits for eligible members enrolled in applicable fully insured employer-sponsored plans. The new coverage enhancement is designed to make remote urgent care more affordable and convenient, UHC said. Starting July 1, eligible UnitedHealthcare members enrolled in fully insured medical plans, including policies with high deductibles, will begin to pay nothing out-of-pocket for round-the-clock virtual visits, effectively waiving any deductibles or copays, UHC said.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Private equity, physician groups and health insurers have acquired the vast majority of physician practices during the last five years. As physician polling data has shown, most physicians are choosing to become employed rather than operate their own practice due to increased costs and burden from policies like commercial insurer prior authorizations. However, the data show that hospitals are not the primary acquirers of physicians.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Suflave, a new low-volume, lemon-lime flavored liquid osmotic laxative for colonoscopy preparation in adults, the manufacturer, Sebela Pharmaceuticals, has announced. Suflave comes in a carton containing two bottles and two flavor packets. Each bottle contains 178.7 g polyethylene glycol 3350, 7.3 g sodium sulfate, 1.12 g potassium chloride, 0.9 g magnesium sulfate, and 0.5 g sodium chloride. One bottle and one flavor packet are equivalent to one dose. Administration of both doses is required for a complete preparation for colonoscopy. After each dose, an additional 16 ounces of water must be…
Offering improved gastrointestinal bleeding and anatomic structure visualization, Olympus’ new endoscopy system EVIS X1 is set to be available for purchase in November or December 2023, along with two compatible endoscopes: the GIF-1100, a videoscope for use in the upper digestive tract, and the CF-HQ1100DL/I, a colonovideoscope for use in the lower digestive tract.
Here are five lawsuits involving gastroenterologists or gastroenterology practices that Becker’s has reported on since Aug. 12:
In this video, Dr. David Ramsay of Digestive Health Specialists in Winston Salem, N.C., discusses the different career paths available to fellows and early-career physicians, and why he chose to become a private practice gastroenterologist. Dr. Ramsay shares his insights into different private practice models and what physicians should consider when beginning their careers, as well as what questions to ask when trying to determine if an organization will be a good fit for their future career plans.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected Intercept Pharmaceutical’s second bid for approval of obeticholic acid (OCA) for treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with stage 2 or 3 fibrosis. In response, the company has decided to discontinue all NASH-related investment.Intercept first sought FDA approval for OCA in treatment of NASH in 2019 and received a complete response letter. The company refiled for a new drug application this past December. A second resubmission would require a completion of the long-term outcomes phase of an ongoing clinical trial, according to an Intercept press release.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty was more effective for weight loss than lifestyle modification alone in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and obesity, according to a speaker at EASL Congress. “Previous studies show how lifestyle intervention with a reduction of more than 10% of body weight promotes NASH resolution and fibrosis regression,” Javier Abad Guerra, MD, a gastroenterology and hepatology specialist at Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda University Hospital, said.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been making waves in various sectors, and healthcare is no exception. One area where AI is poised to bring about a paradigm shift is gastroenterology, particularly in the realm of gastrointestinal health prediction. Traditionally, gastrointestinal health prediction has relied heavily on the expertise of gastroenterologists, who interpret results from a range of diagnostic tests, including endoscopies, colonoscopies, and imaging studies. However, these methods are not without their limitations. They can be invasive, time-consuming, and often rely on the subjective interpretation of the specialist. This is where AI-driven gastrointestinal health prediction comes in, offering a more efficient,…
NASHVILLE, Tenn., One GI®, The Home for Independent Gastroenterology, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Mercado as the Senior Vice President of Payor Strategy. With an impressive background in healthcare contracting and strategic partnerships, Sean will play a critical role in driving One GI’s growth and strengthening its payor relations. His expertise will be instrumental in developing strategies to enhance payor partnerships, advance care delivery and service reimbursement models, and maximize the overall value of strategic payor collaborations.