Patsy Newitt

MedPAC voted Jan. 13 against recommending to raise Medicare physician payments for 2023, according to an opposition letter from the president of American Medical Association, Gerald Harmon, MD. 

Tyler, Texas-based Christus Trinity Mother Frances and Pediatric Surgical Associates are teaming up to open an outpatient clinic and offer ambulatory surgery, the Longview News-Journal reported Jan. 13. 

The No Surprises Act went into effect Jan. 1, meaning out-of-network anesthesia providers are prohibited from balance billing.

Eight COVID-19 updates from the last week:

Chambersburg (Pa.) Gastroenterology Associates has joined WellSpan Health to expand local access to digestive care, the health system said Jan. 13. 

Staff shortages, exacerbated by COVID-19 spikes and vaccination mandates, have some endoscopy centers struggling to stay afloat. 

One GI added Terre Haute, Ind.-based Digestive Health Associates to its network, the gastroenterology management company said Jan. 13. 

Six New Jersey surgery centers and medical offices affiliated with the Interventional Pain Management Center, owned by Amit Poonia, MD, have agreed to pay $7.4 million to resolve fraud allegations. 

Physician was named the sixth best-paying healthcare job, according to a U.S. News & World Report list released Jan. 11.

Here are seven updates from the federal government since Jan. 1: