Iterative Health and Unio Specialty Care are revolutionizing colorectal cancer screening in California by integrating AI-powered SKOUT technology into surgery centers. With colorectal cancer remaining the second deadliest cancer in the U.S., SKOUT enhances colonoscopy precision by detecting hard-to-spot sessile polyps in real time, supporting both patients and overburdened physicians. By nearly doubling detection speed and boosting sensitivity by ~40%, this collaboration represents a major leap forward in AI-assisted gastroenterology care. Could this be the turning point for AI’s role in early cancer detection?
Author: Abhay Panchal
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to a robust Marketplace Open Enrollment process for consumers so they can effortlessly purchase quality, affordable health care coverage. CMS reports that 24.2 million1 consumers selected plan year 2025 coverage through the Marketplaces during the 2025 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period, including 3.9 million new consumers. That represents more than double the number of enrollees compared to the 2021 Open Enrollment Period.
In one of his first acts as president, Donald Trump issued an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing grievances over its handling of COVID-19, “onerous payments,” and a perceived bias toward China. This move, following years of Trump’s criticism of the agency, will disrupt U.S. access to critical global health data and collaborative networks. While supporters applaud the emphasis on sovereignty, public health experts warn that this decision undermines global health security and diminishes America’s leadership in confronting international health crises.
In a significant move to reduce healthcare costs, CMS announced the selection of 15 new drugs for Medicare Part D price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act, with price reductions set to take effect in 2027. These drugs, treating conditions like cancer, type 2 diabetes, and asthma, accounted for 14% of Part D’s gross prescription costs from November 2023 to October 2024, impacting 5.3 million beneficiaries. The process builds on the success of the first cycle, which saw cuts to 10 drugs. With the scope of negotiations set to expand annually, the initiative aims to ensure broader access to life-saving…
Navigating the intricate regulatory framework surrounding ASC ownership, particularly for multispecialty centers, demands strict adherence to laws like the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law. Compliance hinges on structuring ownership agreements at fair market value, meeting safe harbor standards, and ensuring profit distributions align with ownership rather than referrals. Missteps, such as overpaying for controlling interest or underpricing non-controlling stakes, can lead to severe penalties. Yet, with the right safeguards in place, ASCs can thrive within these constraints. The question remains: as regulations evolve, will ASCs continue to adapt while maintaining their profitability and compliance?
Artificial intelligence (AI) may further tighten these screws. While AI promises to reduce busywork and enhance decision-making, it could also be used to scrutinize physicians’ actions excessively, automate mistrust, and enforce productivity at the cost of autonomy. Drawing parallels with other industries, experts warn that AI might amplify managerial control, increase surveillance, and overload physicians with additional bureaucratic tasks.
Prospect Medical Group, owner of 16 U.S. hospitals, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas, citing liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion. The Los Angeles-based healthcare company plans to focus on its California operations while divesting East Coast hospitals. It has an agreement to sell two Rhode Island hospitals to the Centurion Foundation and seeks to divest Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Pennsylvania.
Exciting advancements in colorectal cancer care! The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has joined forces with the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a groundbreaking initiative to enhance healthcare quality measures for follow-up after abnormal stool-based CRC screenings.
Discover how digital health is reshaping the future of medicine in ways that no physician can ignore. From AI-powered tools and portable diagnostics revolutionizing daily practice to patients taking center stage in designing their healthcare, the medical profession is undergoing a transformative era. Soft skills will become indispensable, automation will enhance—not replace—doctors, and collaboration with cutting-edge technologies like AI will be the norm. Dive into the insights that will define the next chapter of healthcare, where innovation meets human empathy.
A new multimodal stool nucleic acid (mm-sNA) test, ColoAlert by Mainz Biomed, has shown remarkable sensitivity and specificity in detecting colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced precancerous lesions (APLs). Presented at DDW 2024, the study highlighted the test’s use of mRNA, DNA, and hemoglobin biomarkers combined with an AI/machine learning (AI/ML) algorithm, achieving 97% sensitivity and specificity for CRC and 82% sensitivity and 97% specificity for APLs.