Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Medicare will reduce payments for GI endoscopy services in ASCs by about 8%, while boosting reimbursement for office-based E/M visits — a shift that could significantly affect independent gastroenterology practices. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) shared five key strategies to prepare. AGA also urged practices to run financial models, update compensation thresholds, and prioritize documentation accuracy before January 2026 to stay ahead of reimbursement shifts. Must read: CMS finalizes payment policies for 2026
Author: Abhay Panchal
In a landmark move, the U.S. FDA has approved Linzess (linaclotide) for pediatric patients aged 7 years and above with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) — making it the first-ever therapy approved for children with this condition. The approval was based on adult efficacy data supported by a 12-week clinical trial in children aged 7–17, which showed significant reductions in abdominal pain and improved bowel movement frequency. Safety outcomes mirrored adult results, with diarrhea being the most common side effect. The recommended dosage for children is 145 mcg once daily. However, Linzess is not approved for patients under 2…
At the ACG 2025 Annual Meeting, researchers from Boston Medical Center revealed that targeted education and workflow changes between emergency and GI teams dramatically improved diagnosis rates for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). By training ED clinicians to better recognize dysphagia and esophageal food impaction, and introducing a rapid outpatient referral system, biopsy rates during index endoscopy jumped from 44% to 100%. Referrals from the ED for endoscopy also rose from 1.2% to 16.2%. “These findings show that simple, coordinated interventions can expedite EoE diagnosis and care,” said Dr. Rosa Yu, the study’s lead investigator. “Biopsies are safe and should be performed…
In a major appointment, Dr. Steven Wexner, one of the world’s most cited and respected colorectal surgeons, has joined MedStar Health as Physician Executive Director and System Chief of Colorectal Surgery. Based at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Dr. Wexner brings nearly four decades of clinical, academic, and research leadership to the role. A pioneer in the field, he is known for developing the Wexner Incontinence and Constipation Scores, surgical techniques that reduce the need for stomas, and for training over 800 surgeons worldwide. Previously at Cleveland Clinic Florida, Dr. Wexner has authored more than 1,200 publications, amassing over 43,000 citations.
Jacksonville, Fla.-based Borland Groover is positioning for its next era of growth through a leadership realignment and a focus on patient-centered innovation. The gastroenterology group, founded in 1947, recently announced four new C-suite leaders as part of its restructuring. The move is designed to strengthen operational leadership, enhance efficiency and expand service lines across Florida. Becker’s spoke with Dinesh Madhok, MD, who has been appointed CEO after nearly three decades with Borland Groover. Dr. Madhok, a gastroenterologist who joined the organization in 1997, also serves as chief of gastroenterology for the graduate medical education program at HCA Florida Orange Park…
UCSF Health has opened the first-of-its-kind Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Longevity Clinic, designed exclusively for patients aged 65 and older living with IBD. Led by Dr. Kendall Beck and Dr. Anu Madhavan, the clinic brings together specialists in gastroenterology, geriatrics, pharmacy, and nutrition to deliver a truly multidisciplinary model of care. As the population ages, older adults are projected to become the majority of IBD patients within a decade. The UCSF clinic offers comprehensive assessments addressing mobility, cognition, bone health, medication management, and preventive care like cancer screenings and vaccinations.
Exact Sciences reported a record third quarter, underscoring its growing impact on early cancer detection. The company announced it helped more than 1.4 million people better understand and manage their cancer risk — a milestone reflecting its mission to eradicate cancer through prevention, early detection, and personalized treatment. Core revenue climbed 20% to $851 million, led by the continued success of Cologuard®, which reached record awareness levels this quarter with over 12,000 new providers ordering the test. Its oncology portfolio — including Oncotype DX® and the newly launched Cancerguard® multi-cancer early detection blood test — also saw strong global expansion.…
A new real-world study of 20,000 patients has found that Guardant Health’s Shield blood test achieved an impressive 95% adherence rate for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening — far higher than traditional colonoscopy or stool-based tests (25–71%). Published in Current Medical Research and Opinion, the findings reinforce Shield’s role as the first FDA-approved blood test for CRC screening in average-risk adults aged 45 and older. In an additional study from Appalachia, one of the nation’s lowest screening regions, overall screening rates doubled from 45% to 90% when Shield was introduced, with 98.5% adherence. By offering a simple blood draw instead of…
Dr. William D. Chey, a globally recognized expert in functional GI disorders, has been elected President of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) for 2025–2026. Currently the H. Marvin Pollard Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan and Chief of its GI Division, Dr. Chey brings over three decades of leadership, research, and mentorship to the role. A prolific innovator with 500+ publications and several patents, Dr. Chey is known for advancing the understanding of gut-brain interaction disorders and H. pylori infection. As ACG President, he will guide the College’s strategic priorities in education, policy, and clinical innovation, steering…
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming gastroenterology — from the endoscopy suite to the clinic. Experts highlight how AI models are moving beyond polyp detection to tackle some of the field’s toughest diagnostic challenges. Drs. Yuvaraj Singh, Alessandro Colletta, and Neil Marya showcased AI systems that outperform traditional ERCP sampling in identifying malignant biliary strictures and can even distinguish autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer with higher accuracy than experts. These breakthroughs, trained on millions of images, promise faster, more reliable diagnoses in complex pancreatic and biliary disease. At a broader level, Dr. Dennis Shung discussed how foundation models like GastroNet-5M are…