Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is encouraging its members to review options for colorectal cancer screenings amid a rise in cases, according to an Oct. 1 news release from the insurer. 

GI Alliance — the largest GI practice network in the country — will introduce Medtronic's GI Genius to its over 400 locations nationwide. 

Over the last 20 years, incidences of upper gastrointestinal cancer have increased faster in young women than young men, according to a Sept. 30 report from Endocrinology Advisor. 

Gastroenterology has seen a number of industry-changing developments in recent years, and new recommendations regarding minimum ages and the quality of colonoscopies promises even more change in the industry. 

A newly developed, teleoperated robotic endoscopy system could open up access to the procedure globally, Advanced Science News reported Sept. 30.

Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic discovered a bacterium that weakens the immune system in the gut, which could contribute to inflammatory and infectious gut diseases.

Over the last year, there have been several major changes in the field of gastroenterology, especially when it comes to colonoscopies and colorectal cancer screenings. 

The American Gastroenterological Association, which represents more than 16,000 physicians nationwide, spent Sept. 26 working with Congress to make changes to GI patient care. 

Sonia Kupfer, MD, has been named the inaugural director of the community advancement of physician-scientists at the University of Chicago. 

As new quality indicators surrounding colonoscopies are introduced, the onus to meet the new guidelines will fall on individual gastroenterologists. 

The FDA on July 29 approved a screening test for colorectal cancer that requires only a blood sample. 

A recent study by Avalere, funded by the American Independent Medical Practice Association, laid out how practice affiliation affects the share of gastroenterologists' Medicare beneficiaries. 

The proportion of Medicare-billing independent gastroenterologists declined from 31% to 13% between 2019 and 2022, according to a recent study by Avalere that was funded by the American Independent Medical Practice Association. 

Chesterfield, Mo.-based Mercy will break ground on the Kathryn Ann Meinders Digestive Health Institute in Oklahoma City on Sept. 27, the state's first standalone medical center dedicated to digestive health. 

Exton, Pa.-based US Digestive Health has signed a five-year contract with major payer Highmark Health, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. 

Texas Digestive Disease Consultants is one the largest gastroenterology physician group practices by number of physicians in the country, according to a recent report from Definitive Healthcare.

Some patients pay out of pocket for colonoscopy prep, according to a recent study, and many leaders are concerned about how that could affect screening volumes. 

A new study from digital health platform Cylinder, published in BMJ Open Gastroenterology, found that app-based digestive health management platforms can reduce health disparities among underrepresented populations. 

As major gastroenterology organizations have recently made changes to guidelines regarding the quality indicators surrounding colonoscopy, gastroenterologists are reconsidering how they can keep up with new requirements and best practices. 

Gastroenterology, while still largely independent, has seen an overall increase in consolidation with the rise of supergroups like Dallas-based GI Alliance.