GI & Endoscopy

Dalton, Ga.-based Hamilton Physician Group-Gastroenterology has added two new gastroenterologists to its team: Larry Shuster, MD, and Sergio Quijano, MD, according to a May 19 report from chattanoogan.com. 

In June, new prior authorization rules from UnitedHealthcare concerning select gastroenterology procedures will take effect, requiring patients and physicians to seek authorization for gastroenterology endoscopy services, including esophagogastroduodenoscopies, capsule endoscopies, diagnostic colonoscopies and surveillance colonoscopies. 

York, Pa.-based WellSpan Health is opening an outpatient endoscopy center and expanding its digestive health services in West Earl, Pa., according to a May 18 report from Lancaster Online.

On average, gastroenterologists make $252,000 more annually than physicians working in public health and preventive medicine, the lowest-earning physician specialty, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report" for 2023.

The top gastroenterologists in the nation work for health systems including the University of Chicago Medicine and Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai, according to OpenAI-created chatbot ChatGPT. 

Here are five gastroenterology partnerships Becker's has reported on since May 2: 

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy gathered over 175 physician groups to cosign a letter to the UnitedHealthcare CEO opposing upcoming changes to prior authorization for GI endoscopy procedures, according to a May 16 press release from the organization. 

Despite protests from patients, health systems and providers, UnitedHealthcare is moving forward with major changes to its prior authorization requirements for gastroenterology care, which will take effect June 1. 

New York tops the list of states that are most in-demand for permanent placement opportunities for gastroenterologists, according to a post from physician search and employment firm Merritt Hawkins. 

Here are five figures that offer insight into the gastroenterology industry.