Author: Patsy Newitt

A bipartisan coalition of 10 House lawmakers introduced legislation on Jan. 31 aimed at reversing a 2.83% Medicare physician payment reduction and implementing a 2% increase to help stabilize physician practices and protect patient access to care.

Becker's has reported on two physician practice or clinic closures since Jan. 1:

House Republicans have proposed sweeping changes to healthcare policies – including major Medicaid cuts — and five physicians joined Beckers to discuss their thoughts on the policy changes. 

Dr. Geogy Vennikandam COO of Chicago-based GI Partners of Illinois, joined Becker's to discuss five of the ASC growth opportunities for GI groups he focuses on. 

As healthcare consolidation accelerates, ASCs and hospitals are increasingly finding ways to work together, forming partnerships and joint ventures to drive mutual growth. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare has made 12 leadership appointments across its hospitals in the last 10 days. 

Chesapeake (Va.) Regional Medical Center pleaded not guilty Jan. 28 to allegations of healthcare fraud, conspiracy to defraud the U.S, and obstruction of government operations.

A lawsuit alleging anticompetitive conduct against cardiologist Ricardo Cigarroa, MD, and Laredo Medical Center was dismissed on Jan. 28, according to a the Laredo Morning Times. 

The shift to value-based care involves financial incentives for anesthesia practices that could conflict with existing fraud and abuse laws, such as Stark law, according to a Jan. 24 report from law firm Whiteford in JDSupra.

Colonoscopy reimbursements, along with other GI procedures, are declining, placing financial strain on physicians and limiting access for patients.