Dr. Nitesh Ratnakar, a gastroenterologist from Wheeling, West Virginia, has been convicted of 41 counts of tax fraud for failing to remit nearly $2.5 million in payroll taxes. Operating a gastroenterology practice and a medical equipment manufacturing company in Elkins, West Virginia, Dr. Ratnakar withheld payroll taxes from employees’ paychecks between 2018 and 2022 but did not forward these funds to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Author: Abhay Panchal
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has released updated guidelines for managing moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC), emphasizing advanced pharmacological therapies and personalized treatment approaches. The guidelines recommend using medications such as infliximab, vedolizumab, and upadacitinib over no treatment and suggest prioritizing higher-efficacy medications, particularly for patients naive to advanced therapies or with prior therapy failures. Combination therapy with TNF antagonists and immunomodulators is preferred, but withdrawal of TNF antagonists is discouraged for patients in sustained remission.
Bracco Diagnostics Inc. (BDI) and ColoWatch have partnered to expand access to virtual colonoscopy as a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tool. With the rise in CRC cases among younger patients and low screening rates for those aged 45-49, this collaboration aims to make the less invasive, highly accurate virtual colonoscopy more widely available, especially in underserved communities. The partnership is bolstered by recent CMS proposals for Medicare reimbursement, which could significantly enhance adoption.
A recent study led by Dr. Adam Rodman at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center revealed surprising insights into the use of ChatGPT-4 for medical diagnoses. While the AI chatbot outperformed physicians with an average score of 90% in diagnosing conditions from case reports, doctors using ChatGPT only slightly improved their scores (76%) compared to those without it (74%).The study highlighted two key issues: physicians often dismissed AI suggestions that contradicted their own diagnoses due to overconfidence, and many failed to fully utilize the chatbot’s capabilities. Instead of leveraging its ability to analyze entire case histories, they treated it as a…
Cylinder, a leading digestive health employee benefit provider, highlighted the critical role of digestive wellness in overall health at the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchasers Coalition Annual Forum. Chris Nordman, SVP at Cylinder, joined a panel with leaders from UnitedHealthcare and Maven Clinic to discuss the impact of data-driven, personalized care on improving employee health outcomes and reducing employer healthcare costs.
Dr. Neil Gupta transitioned from a decade-long career in a large academic health system to establishing an independent gastroenterology practice. He shares insights from this shift, emphasizing the advantages of autonomy in fostering innovation, financial stewardship for sustainability, and collaborative, patient-centered care. By leveraging strategies such as office-based endoscopy and payer partnerships, his practice reduced healthcare costs while maintaining high-quality care.Dr. Gupta also highlights the critical role of technology in streamlining workflows and enhancing patient experiences. Reflecting on his journey, he notes the fulfillment of building meaningful patient relationships, fostering innovation, and addressing systemic healthcare challenges in a flexible, independent…
Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests represent a transformative breakthrough in cancer diagnostics, using blood samples to identify biomarkers like circulating tumor DNA for early detection of multiple cancers, including aggressive types like pancreatic, ovarian, and esophageal. MCED testing could complement existing screenings, particularly benefiting patients with rare cancers and those not eligible for current screenings, such as lung cancer CT scans.While promising, MCED tests are still in the research phase, with extensive trials underway. Dr. Tomasz Beer of Exact Sciences emphasizes their potential to revolutionize cancer care but advises continuing traditional screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies, which remain critical for…
SpaceGut, a new company backed by SOL Partnership, has launched Malaysia’s first AI-powered at-home gut health test service. The service uses a microbiome kit and proprietary AI to analyze samples against a database of over 50,000 microbiome profiles, identifying over 30 health markers and offering personalized health recommendations.This initiative addresses Malaysia’s rising gut health issues linked to lifestyle diseases like metabolic syndrome, affecting two in five adults. SpaceGut plans to expand into supplements, wellness centers, and nutritionist services, aligning with global trends in gut microbiome-focused healthcare.
The U.S. gastroenterology workforce faces a critical shortage, with a projected deficit of 1,630 full-time equivalents (FTEs) by 2025, according to HRSA. Of the 18,756 active gastroenterologists, over 50% are nearing retirement age within the next decade, further straining resources as demand surges due to an aging population and rising colorectal cancer cases among younger individuals.Challenges include limited GI fellowship positions and declining reimbursement rates, pushing many practitioners toward larger health systems. Solutions such as implementing GI hospitalist models, leveraging telemedicine, and utilizing locum tenens staffing are critical to ensuring uninterrupted care and addressing the growing need for gastroenterology services.
Mainz Biomed has partnered with Thermo Fisher Scientific to jointly develop and potentially commercialize a next-generation mRNA-based colorectal cancer screening test. This collaboration will utilize Thermo Fisher’s advanced technologies to enhance Mainz Biomed’s non-invasive tests, which focus on detecting colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions like advanced adenomas. The partnership aims to accelerate global availability of innovative screening solutions, leveraging both companies’ expertise to set new standards in early cancer detection.