The availability of generic antiviral drugs to manage chronic hepatitis B resulted in significant savings to Medicare, despite an increase in prescriptions, according to an analysis by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian. The findings were published July 8 in Gastroenterology. About 1.6 million people in the United States live with chronic hepatitis B. There is no cure currently, but some medications can suppress the virus and limit liver damage. However, the high cost of brand-name drugs is often a barrier for many people who must take the drugs for life, leading to treatment non-compliance and subsequent health complications.
Author: Rutali Thakur
Artificial intelligence (AI) for diagnostic purposes represents a potential technology breakthrough in medicine. Its diagnostic application within gastroenterology and hepatology conditions has grown quickly and robustly, with its first United States Food and Drug Administration authorization for use in 2021. As research funding and commercial development continue at a fast pace, the question of where AI-based diagnosis can have the biggest impact has not been sufficiently addressed. Although improvement in the diagnosis of any condition has benefits, there are also real costs associated with implementing AI-based solutions and opportunity costs associated with prioritizing funding and development decisions.
Join Susan Biali Haas, a physician and author of The Resilient Life: Manage Stress, Prevent Burnout, & Strengthen Your Mental and Physical Health. In this episode, we delve into the personality traits that contribute to physician burnout and vulnerability, based on Susan’s expertise and experience working with physicians in her coaching practice. We explore the impact of high neuroticism, introversion, extreme conscientiousness, and agreeableness on physician well-being. Susan shares practical strategies for shifting negative thinking patterns, setting boundaries, and finding balance in a demanding work environment.
Value-based healthcare, the holy grail of American medicine, has three parts: excellent clinical quality, convenient access and affordability for all. And as with the holy grail of medieval legend, the quest for value-based care has been filled with failure. In the 20th century, U.S. medical groups and hospital systems could—at best—achieve two elements of value-based care, but always at the sacrifice of the third. Until recently, American medicine lacked the clinical knowhow, technology and operational excellence to accomplish all three, simultaneously. We now have the tools. The only thing missing is “system-ness.”
TOPLINE: Adults with high-risk serrated polyps (with or without high-risk adenomas) have a high risk for metachronous colorectal cancer (CRC) within a median of 3 years after the baseline colonoscopy for a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screen, a study suggests. METHODOLOGY:
As private equity increasingly invests in ASCs and physician groups, some leaders are concerned about its effect on patient outcomes and costs. Here’s what seven ASC and physician leaders have to say about private equity in the last six months. Jayesh Dayal, MD. Anesthesiologist at White Flint Surgery (Rockville, Md.): As a standalone ASC, we seem to have no negotiating power with any of the insurers and seem to be at the bottom of the procedure reimbursement rungs. The larger health systems, with access to hospital outpatient department rates and private-equity owned ASCs, with their nationwide heft, seem to be able…
This transcript has been edited for clarity. For more episodes, download the Medscape app or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Lin Chang, MD: Hello. I’m Dr Lin Chang and welcome to Medscape’s InDiscussion series on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Today we’ll be discussing brain-gut behavior, research, and treatment in IBS with Dr Laurie Keefer. Dr Keefer is an academic health psychologist and the director of Psychobehavioral Research within the Division of Gastroenterology at Mt Sinai. Welcome to InDiscussion. Thank you, Laurie, for being with us here today. We’re very excited for this session. You are the leading expert on this.…
It has been a prolific year in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) research, particularly of high-impact clinical trials that will undoubtedly alter the current management paradigm. At the AGA postgraduate course in May, we highlighted recent noteworthy randomized controlled trials (RCT) using eosinophil-targeting biologic therapy, esophageal-optimized corticosteroid preparations, and dietary elimination in EoE.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have released proposed payment rules for physician services and facility fees for calendar year 2024. The GI societies are disappointed and concerned to see a proposed cut to reimbursement. Watch for alerts on our advocacy efforts and how you can help. The proposed rules also included positive news, including increased facility fees, new codes to increase health equity, and telemedicine reimbursement.
CMS suggested a 3.34 percent conversion factor decrease in its proposed Medicare physician fee schedule for 2024. Two gastroenterologists connected with Becker’s to discuss their thoughts on the proposal. Note: These responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. Stephen Amann, MD. Gastroenterologist at Digestive Health Specialists (Tupelo, Miss.): Unfortunately, CMS continues to focus on cuts to the front-line providers for Medicare recipients. I am certainly cognizant of the general financial pressure on CMS and Medicare, but fulfilling their promises on the back of the providers is problematic. These cuts continue to undermine physician practice’s ability to provide access and care to the Medicare…