Here are seven news updates for gastroenterologists to know for March 16, 2015.
Legislation aiming to eliminate Medicare colonoscopy co-insurance introduced in House and Senate.
The Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act (HR 1220 and S 624) was introduced in the House and Senate. The legislation aims to eliminate co-insurance for Medicare patients undergoing a screening colonoscopy that becomes therapeutic due to the presence of polyps that must be removed. This is the first year that the Senate version of the bill has had significant bipartisan support.
FDA advisory panel to discuss "superbug" infections.
The FDA's Gastroenterology and Urology Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee will meet May 14 to 15 to discuss the transmission of "superbug" infections. The panel will discuss duodenoscopes and their link to drug-resistant infections.
New York State penalizes Emblem Health $25k for colonoscopy anesthesia charges.
New York State penalized Emblem Health $25,000 for incorrectly processing claims, which led to patients being charged for anesthesia when undergoing a colonoscopy. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, anesthesia is to be 100 percent covered for patients undergoing preventative colonoscopies. Emblem incorrectly processed 255 claims. Under the agreement with the Attorney General's office, the payer will also refund approximately $400,000 to the affected patients.
Mid-South Gastroenterology Group partners in new effort to increase CRC screening.
Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Jr., and staff members of Mid-South Gastroenterology Group in Memphis will launch the 100 percent by 2020 Campaign, an initiative that aims to increase colonoscopy screenings. The initiative is a collaboration between the city, local health organizations, small businesses and Phillip Bowden, MD, founder and medical director of the Mid-South Gastroenterology Group and Phillip R. Bowden, MD, PA.
Norgine, Arc Medical partner to distribute ENDOCUFF VISION.
Norgine and Arc Medical Design partnered to distribute the ENDOCUFF VISION device. The ENDOCUFF VISION is a single-use, sterile endoscopic overtube designed to improve extubation and visualization during colonoscopy. Norgine will commercialize and distribute the device. Norgine will first launch the device in the United Kingdom.
ASCA works to raise CRC awareness.
The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association has joined the many organizations pushing for increased public education during Colon Cancer Awareness month. ASCA worked with colorectal cancer advocate Representative Donald M. Payne Jr. (N.J.-10) to create a public service announcement about preventative screenings. Rep. Payne's father passed away due to colorectal cancer.
MUSE procedures performed in Italy.
Professor Pier Alberto Testoni, director of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy IRCCS at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy, performed three MUSE procedures for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.