Gastroenterology reimbursement is under pressure. Payer and federal policy shifts in 2025 threaten cuts to gastroenterologists and GI ASCs, with proposals spanning Medicare conversion-factor reductions, site-neutral reforms, bundled payments, and procedural reimbursement changes. GI leaders warn that these moves could restrict patient access and push more cases into lower-cost sites.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Artificial intelligence is giving scammers a new weapon: impersonating trusted doctors to push fake health products. The New York Times reports how leading physicians like Dr. Robert Lustig (UCSF), Dr. Gemma Newman (UK), Dr. Eric Topol (Scripps), and Dr. Caroline Apovian (Harvard) have discovered A.I.-generated videos, ads, and even counterfeit books using their likenesses without consent. These deepfake campaigns promote fraudulent supplements — including fake GLP-1 “liquid capsules” — that appear on major platforms like Facebook, Amazon, and even Google ads, tricking vulnerable patients into wasting money or avoiding real treatment. Despite takedown attempts, the scams keep spreading across borders,…
What’s new Study design (analytical + clinical equivalency) Clinical equivalency (in-lab FIT vs at-home FIT) Interpretation
Emerging studies show that immune system shifts, like anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies, can appear up to six years before symptoms. Environmental triggers such as pollution and microplastics are being linked to rising cases worldwide, while AI-driven prediction models are being trained on blood, stool, and genetic data to map disease risk. Microbiome-based diagnostics are uncovering bacterial signatures that precede flares, and even wearable biosensors are being tested to detect inflammation early through sweat. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is fueling this research with its IBD Plexus data platform—the world’s most comprehensive collection of patient samples. Experts believe that within five years, clinical…
GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are rewriting the rules of obesity care—and virtual startups are racing to meet demand. A new review of 39 companies reveals a spectrum: some offering comprehensive, clinically guided programs with nutrition, behavioral health, and long-term monitoring, and others operating as high-volume “pill mills” with minimal oversight. Physicians remain skeptical—67% warn that telehealth GLP-1 prescribing risks patient safety—yet millions of Americans now turn to these platforms for faster, more affordable, and less judgmental care. With billions in venture capital fueling growth, the question is whether digital health can scale responsibly, or if GLP-1’s…
Independent physician practices are delivering significantly lower-cost care compared to hospital-owned settings, according to a new study in the Journal of Market Access & Health Policy. Researchers analyzing cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, and urology practices found that hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) remain the most expensive sites of care, while independent and private-equity–affiliated practices provide substantially lower-cost options. Medicare reimbursements to HOPDs reached as much as 861% of office or ASC payments, while commercial insurers paid up to 1,346% more—differences that experts warn are driving consolidation, inflating costs, and threatening the survival of independent practices. The findings add urgency to calls for…
Castlight Health has partnered with Ayble Health to bring personalized, AI-driven digestive care to millions of employees and health plan members. The collaboration makes Ayble the first GI-focused partner in Castlight’s digital health ecosystem, giving employers a seamless way to offer evidence-based care for conditions like IBS, IBD, and GERD. Backed by 15 peer-reviewed studies, Ayble combines a multidisciplinary GI team with AI-powered nutrition and stress management tools to cut costs and improve outcomes. Executives say demand is surging as digestive disorders now rank among the top three drivers of healthcare spend.
In this episode of The Scope Forward Show, Praveen Suthrum speaks with Cheryl Sew Hoy, Founder & CEO of Tiny Health, a microbiome testing company that’s redefining preventive care from pregnancy through infancy. Cheryl shares why the first 1,000 days are critical for lifelong gut health, how restoring beneficial microbes matters more than chasing pathogens, and why over 80,000 families are already turning to Tiny Health for answers. Functional medicine has embraced the microbiome faster than GI — but Cheryl makes the case that gastroenterologists are uniquely positioned to lead this revolution. The question is: will the GI community step up before…
A real-world study of 1,984 adults using an app-connected breath analyzer found that just one week of low-FODMAP eating significantly lowered breath hydrogen and methane and reduced bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence, with the biggest absolute gains in those starting with moderate/severe symptoms—hinting that simple, nonfasting breath-gas tracking could personalize who benefits most from FODMAP restriction.
Democrats are sounding alarms over CMS’s 2026 pilot that will let AI companies decide prior authorizations for Medicare. Lawmakers worry it could incentivize denials and harm patients — critics have dubbed it an “AI death panel.” Physicians and legal experts echoed concerns at a congressional hearing, urging independent oversight before rollout.