GI & Endoscopy

Here are five numbers worth watching in gastroenterology today: 

Loma Linda University Children's Hospital has become one of two hospitals in Southern California to implement transnasal endoscopy without sedation in children. 

Medical data intelligence platform Lynx.MD has partnered with Allied Digestive Health, a leading GI practice with over 60 locations in New York and New Jersey. 

The most common gastroenterology procedure performed in 2023 was a liver elastography, according to November data from Definitive Healthcare, which will cost patients an average of $134. 

Liver elastography accounted for over 30% of the total billed gastroenterology procedures in 2023, making it the most-performed GI procedure, according to November data from Definitive Healthcare. 

ASCs are known for their cost-saving potential when compared to hospital outpatient departments, according to data from medicare.gov.

In November, Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts announced that beginning Jan. 1, it would no longer cover the use of monitored anesthesia for certain gastrointestinal patients undergoing endoscopic, bronchoscopic or interventional pain procedures. 

Colorado's largest provider of gastroenterology services, Colorado Springs-based Peak Gastroenterology Associates, has added Neil Sharma, MD, to its team. 

Here are four endoscopy updates Becker's has reported on since Dec. 21: 

Undergoing a colonoscopy in the U.S. will cost patients an average of $1,608, according to data from Sidecar Health. The majority of the procedure's cost goes toward facility fees.