Congress has unveiled a year-end legislative package that nearly eliminates a looming Medicare physician payment cut. Instead of the planned 2.8% reduction, physicians will see a 2.5% positive adjustment starting January 1, 2025. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) applauds this decision but emphasizes that more reforms, such as aligning payment updates with inflation and revisiting budget neutrality rules, remain priorities for the coming year.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Telehealth groups are urgently calling on Congress to preserve Medicare’s pandemic-era virtual care policies, which are set to expire at year’s end. A stopgap funding deal that would have extended these flexibilities for two years was derailed by President-elect Donald Trump and his allies, who objected to its cost and called on Republicans to reject it. Without swift legislative action, the looming “telehealth cliff” on January 1 could leave seniors without key remote care options.
Armed with $9.4 million in Series A funding and strong clinical and industry connections, Satisfai Health plans to launch Certai for research applications in 2025, then expand into broader clinical use. The company’s technologies come at a critical juncture, with diagnostic endoscopy volumes on the rise and IBD incidence increasing. By applying AI to granular, pixel-level data invisible to the human eye, Satisfai Health seeks to accelerate treatment efficacy, ease physician workloads, and open the door to predictive analytics and more targeted therapeutic approaches—signaling a new era in GI care.
Telehealth provider Ro will begin offering single-dose vials of Eli Lilly’s newly approved obesity drug, Zepbound, aiming to streamline access for patients. Starting next year, individuals will be able to receive the injectable treatment through Ro’s online platform, which connects consumers directly to doctors, pharmacists, and prescription services without traditional in-person visits. Zepbound, a once-weekly injectable designed to help with significant weight loss, joins a rapidly expanding class of obesity medications that includes established names like Wegovy.
The role of a GI hospitalist—gastroenterologists dedicated exclusively to inpatient care—is gaining prominence in healthcare systems. This model enhances efficiency by allowing outpatient gastroenterologists to focus on their practices while ensuring that hospitalized patients receive specialized, immediate attention. GI hospitalists manage acute conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding, perforations, and obstructions, providing timely interventions that can be critical for patient outcomes. The unpredictable nature of inpatient care requires these specialists to be adaptable and prepared for a dynamic work environment.
Medtronic has announced the successful first patient procedure using its next-generation PillCam™ Genius SB Kit at the University of Miami Health System. Designed to enhance diagnostics for small bowel conditions like Crohn’s disease and gastrointestinal bleeding, the kit allows patients to complete capsule endoscopies at hospitals, clinics, or home via telehealth. With advanced imaging and a patient-friendly wearable link device, the system streamlines workflows and prioritizes comfort and accessibility, aligning with Medtronic’s mission to innovate and improve patient care worldwide.
Gastro Concepts announced FDA 510(k) clearance for its innovative Air Assist™ device, a disposable tool designed to enhance colonoscopy safety and efficiency by preventing air and CO₂ escape, maintaining optimal colonic distension for better visibility. Developed by an experienced gastroenterologist, the medical-grade silicone device forms a reversible seal and enables controlled distension, streamlining procedures and improving outcomes. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Slate highlighted its potential to set a new standard in colonoscopy, simplifying processes and enhancing patient care.
US Digestive Health (USDH), one of the nation’s largest gastroenterology practices, announced the addition of 19 Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in 2024 to meet the growing demand for high-quality GI care across Pennsylvania and Delaware. Highlighting the importance of expanding access, Dr. Louis La Luna, USDH’s Chief Medical Officer, emphasized that these highly skilled APPs will play a pivotal role in ensuring timely and essential services for patients and communities. With over 40 locations and 250+ providers, USDH remains a leader in gastroenterological care, committed to innovation and meeting the challenges of rising patient needs.
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center at NYU Langone Health has strengthened its commitment to exceptional patient care with the appointment of two new co-directors, Drs. Jordan E. Axelrad and Andre da Luz Moreira, alongside the addition of esteemed colorectal surgeon Dr. David W. Dietz. The center integrates cutting-edge diagnostics, medical therapies, and minimally invasive surgical options for conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), addressing long-standing challenges like diagnostic inconsistency and subjective disease scoring. By leveraging machine learning and advanced imaging, AI enhances endoscopic precision, improves histopathological analysis, and aids in disease monitoring, offering unprecedented accuracy and predictive capabilities. Emerging tools, such as AI-assisted cumulative disease scoring and real-time imaging analysis, promise to transform patient care by standardizing assessments and enabling more targeted treatments.