Physicians face evolving challenges in malpractice insurance, with trends shaped by market dynamics and legal shifts. Experts Brad Ash and Wayne de Nazarie from ISMIE Mutual Insurance Co. suggest that physicians should prioritize financial strength and geographic reach when selecting medical professional liability (MPL) carriers. The MPL market, characterized as “hardening” since 2019, reflects increased stability but remains competitive. The rise of hospital acquisitions and private equity in healthcare brings pros like financial stability and reduced administrative burdens but also cons like contractual conflicts and adjustment challenges. Additionally, large malpractice verdicts have surged, driven by plaintiff strategies like anchoring, which…
Author: Rutali Thakur
In a surprise move, Nobel laureates Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna are seeking to cancel two of their own key CRISPR patents in Europe. This decision follows a ruling that their initial patent application lacked enough detail for replication. The move aims to avoid a damaging legal precedent. The situation affects a broad network of biotech companies involved in CRISPR licensing and further complicates the ongoing CRISPR patent dispute between their team and the Broad Institute.
Geneoscopy, Inc. has received a New York State Department of Health laboratory permit, allowing it to offer services across all 50 states. Its first commercial test, ColoSense™, is a noninvasive RNA-based stool screening test for colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas. The approval underscores Geneoscopy’s high-quality standards, meeting the rigorous requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program (CLEP). The company aims to improve early detection of colorectal cancer by providing a reliable and accessible testing option to patients nationwide.
The American Gastroenterological Association’s new guideline on Barrett’s esophagus focuses on updates for endoscopic eradication therapy (EET). Key highlights include management of low-grade dysplasia, the use of endoscopic resection techniques, and the need for expert consultations. The guideline emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making between doctors and patients, weighing risks and benefits of EET. GEN’s Sarah Tilyou spoke with Joel H. Rubenstein, MD, a research scientist at the Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research and professor of gastroenterology and the director of the Barrett’s Esophagus Program at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, about the guideline and its…
New Mountain Capital is merging three HealthTech firms—The Rawlings Group, Apixio’s payment-integrity business, and Varis—in a deal valued at over $3 billion. This merger aims to use AI and data analytics to address payment inefficiencies in healthcare, targeting issues like improper payments, which amounted to $100 billion in government programs last year. The goal is to streamline payments between health plans and providers, reducing administrative costs and improving overall system efficiency.
In this episode, gastroenterologist Dr. Pooja Singhal discusses the complexities of treating obesity, addressing how the media’s portrayal of new medications can often perpetuate harmful misconceptions. She emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and highlights barriers patients face in accessing care. Dr. Singhal also explains the significance of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) and the broader health and economic implications of untreated obesity. The discussion sheds light on the urgent need for comprehensive care and policy support.
Google is training AI to diagnose diseases by listening to the sounds produced by the human body. The project aims to use AI to analyze sounds like heartbeats, lung function, and other bodily noises to detect early signs of illness. This approach could revolutionize non-invasive diagnostics, making it possible to identify conditions like heart disease or respiratory issues more quickly and accurately. Google’s initiative represents a significant leap in integrating AI with healthcare to enhance early disease detection.
KARL STORZ United States has partnered with FUJIFILM Healthcare Americas to jointly market innovative OR integration solutions and flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes. This collaboration aims to enhance efficiency and patient care in surgical ORs, GI suites, and ambulatory surgery centers by integrating comprehensive imaging and video routing technology with advanced GI endoscopes. The partnership seeks to redefine modern GI suites, optimizing visualization and procedural success during surgeries and GI procedures.
The article from Becker’s Healthcare highlights responses from various C-suite executives on the biggest disruptors they anticipate in healthcare over the next five years. The primary disruptors mentioned include advancements in AI and machine learning, the rise of consumerism in healthcare, the expansion of telehealth and remote patient monitoring, and changes in healthcare regulations. These trends are expected to significantly impact how healthcare organizations operate, with a strong emphasis on technology, patient experience, and financial sustainability.
The number of self-employed physicians has dropped to 42% between 2012 and 2022, reflecting a broader trend of physicians moving from independent practices to employment. Gastroenterologists, however, are more likely to be practice owners, with 42.7% being self-employed. Despite the financial challenges, including declining reimbursements, many still find private practice rewarding, particularly those with a higher tolerance for financial risk.