ModifyHealth™ has raised $13.5 million in a Series C funding round led by Dohmen Company Foundation (DCF), with continued support from RC Capital and Nashville Capital Network. This funding aims to expand ModifyHealth’s reach in delivering medically tailored meals and telenutrition services for managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and IBS. The partnership underscores a shared mission to combat diet-related diseases by combining innovative nutrition solutions with accessible, patient-focused care.
Author: Abhay Panchal
A randomized trial involving over 4,000 patients in FQHCs demonstrated the effectiveness of centralized mailed FIT kits and navigation for CRC screening. Led by researchers from the University of North Carolina, the study found that CRC screening completion was three times higher in the intervention group compared to usual care. The centralized approach overcame challenges typical in non-integrated care settings, such as resource limitations and care fragmentation. With higher detection of advanced colorectal neoplasia and increased colonoscopy completion rates, the intervention highlights the potential of organized outreach to bridge gaps in preventive care for underserved populations. Future studies will focus…
Research presented at the 2024 American Foregut Society meeting challenges traditional methods of diagnosing gastroparesis, revealing that most patients diagnosed with the condition may have normal gastric emptying or dysmotility in other GI regions. Dr. Michael Cline of the Cleveland Clinic highlighted that only 18.3% of patients experienced isolated gastric delay, while 81.7% had normal transit or delays in multiple GI regions. The findings suggest current diagnostic tools like gastric emptying scintigraphy are insufficient and emphasize the need for comprehensive motility testing, such as wireless motility capsules, to improve diagnostic accuracy and avoid unnecessary surgeries. Dr. Pankaj Jay Pasricha of…
At Allied Digestive Health, a rapidly expanding gastroenterology group with 194 GI physicians and 75 nurse practitioners across New Jersey and New York, COO Sap Sinha shares an optimistic outlook on the future. “Private equity is focusing heavily on GI for several reasons,” Sinha explains in a discussion with host Geoff Cockrell, highlighting that colon cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Sinha also outlines Allied’s current focus on investing in clinical quality, collaborating with major institutions, and advancing frontiers like genetic testing for colon cancer detection and weight management solutions to address non-alcoholic fatty…
With obesity rates surging, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are showing promise as effective weight-loss treatments, with significant results for many patients. Experts like Dr. Andres Acosta emphasize the need for precision medicine to identify the best responders based on obesity phenotypes such as “Hungry Gut” and “Hungry Brain.” Dr. Daniel Drucker highlights the varying patient responses to these drugs, while Dr. Marc-Andre Cornier stresses their use alongside lifestyle changes, such as high-quality diets and resistance exercises, to mitigate potential risks like muscle loss. Despite their efficacy, GLP-1 RAs face challenges, including side effects, high costs, and patient discontinuation rates,…
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., may target changes to Medicare’s physician reimbursement system, according to reports from The Washington Post and others. Discussions include revising thousands of billing codes that dictate physician payments, a process currently influenced by the AMA’s Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC). Critics argue that reimbursement models favor specialized medicine, diverting resources and talent away from primary care.
A STAT investigation, in collaboration with Tribunus Health, reveals that UnitedHealth Group pays its own Optum-branded physician practices significantly more than it pays independent doctors for similar services in the same markets. This practice highlights a potential conflict of interest, as UnitedHealth’s dual role as insurer and healthcare provider enables it to prioritize profits over reducing costs. The analysis, based on federal reporting data, underscores how this strategy undermines competition and contributes to rising healthcare expenses for consumers and businesses.
Gastroenterology is on the brink of a revolution, as highlighted by Neil D. Parikh, MD, chair of the GI Alliance Innovation Committee. Innovations like AI-driven diagnostics, microbiome analytics, and non-invasive cancer screenings are transforming patient care. Tools such as real-time Barrett’s esophagus detection and swallowable pill cameras promise earlier diagnoses and better outcomes. These breakthroughs, though challenging to implement, could redefine how we tackle GI disorders—bringing personalized, precise, and accessible care closer than ever. Are we ready to embrace the change?
The rise of GI Hospitalists—gastroenterologists specializing in inpatient care—is positively impacting GI fellowship education, according to a survey conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers. Published in Gastroenterology, the study revealed that fellows perceive significant educational benefits from GI Hospitalists, including enhanced endoscopy teaching and longitudinal feedback. While the GI Hospitalist model improves clinical efficiency, reduces burnout, and boosts care quality, concerns remain about reduced exposure to diverse faculty and mentorship. Surveying fellows from five academic institutions, the research highlights the potential for a balanced educational model, integrating both GI Hospitalist and non-Hospitalist faculty to create more robust fellowship programs.
Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist and neurogastroenterologist at Mass General, unpacks the complexities of IBS-C diagnosis, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting the crucial role of the brain-gut connection in patient care. The discussion delves into the latest diagnostic criteria, tools, and emerging research, offering healthcare providers practical strategies to enhance symptom relief and support their IBS-C patients effectively.