Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1514738
26 GASTROENTEROLOGY to surgery, which has traditionally been the best way to treat the condition. 3. "Candy Cane" endoscopic procedures. is procedure removes a problematic portion of the patient's small bowel using a repurposed endoscopic device without any incisions. is is followed by a second procedure in which a channel for food is created. Both procedures are done without the need for traditional surgery by using an endoscope and other FDA-approved devices. 4. Digital digestive health platforms. Gastroenterologist Sarah Robbins, MD, launched a platform designed to help patients improve their digestive health. Well Sunday is an online hub of resources and information for clients, including educational materials, interactive activities and courses. It is tailored to patients with GI issues including irritable bowel syndrome, celiac and other gastrointestinal illnesses. "Once my office practice reached a waitlist of over three years, I knew I needed to find a solution that would allow me to support many more people effectively," Dr. Robbins said in a news release. "With this in mind, I created Well Sunday to provide easy-to-digest, science-backed advice for people looking to better their GI health." 5. Hybrid care models. Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic and digital platform Ayble Health partnered to offer a hybrid digestive care model to patients. e care model matches patients with virtual, in- person or combined virtual and in-person care depending on acuity and need. Due to the fluctuation of digestive symptoms faced by many gastroenterology patients, the hybrid care offerings aim to improve outcomes and costs for those suffering from digestive diseases. n The state of gastroenterologist pay in 5 stats By Paige Haeffele H ere are five numbers providing insight on compensation earned by gastroenterologists, using data from Medscape's "Gastroenterologist Compensation Report" for 2023 and 2013 — which cover 2022 and 2012 pay data, respectively — and its physician salary explorer. 1. The average pay among gastroenterologists has increased $159,000 in the last 10 years — a jump of 47% from 2012. In 2022, the average annual salary among GIs was $501,000, compared to $342,000 in 2012. 2. Self-employed GIs earned an average of $81,460 more annually in 2022 than those with similar qualifications who are employed. 3. Among gastroenterologists, the most popular payment model is fee for service, in which 61% participate. The second-most common payment method is episode of care payments, with 13%. 4. Among GIs in 2022, 56% indicated they feel fairly compensated. Thirty-two percent said they take on extra work to supplement their income. 5. Female GIs earn an average of $363,387 per year, according to the most recent Medscape report, while their male counterparts earn an average of $479,583 — a discrepancy of 32%. n Why the 10 most popular GI procedures could be migrating to ASCs By Claire Wallace Gastroenterologists are expecting to see Medicare payment cuts for both facility and non-facility billing for the top 10 most common GI CPT codes in 2024, according to Healthcare Appraisers' 2023 GI "Industry Outlook" report, published in September. While facilities will see an average reimbursement reduction of between 3% and 5%, ASCs will actually see a 7% to 9% increase in reimbursements, and hospital outpatient departments will see a 5% to 6% increase. ese factors could lead to an increase in GI procedures moving to the ASC setting, according to the report. Here is how reimbursement fees will increase or decrease by setting for the 10 most popular GI CPT codes, which are all related to esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy: 43235 Non-facility: -4% Facility: -3% ASC: 7% HOPD: 6% 43239 Non-facility: -4% Facility: -2% ASC: 7% HOPD: 6% 43246 Non-facility: N/A Facility: -3% ASC: 9% HOPD: 5% 43248 Non-facility: -4% Facility: -3% ASC: 7% HOPD: 6% 43249 Non-facility: -5% Facility: -3% ASC: 9% HOPD: 5% 45378 Non-facility: -3% Facility: -3% ASC: 8% HOPD: 6% 45380 Non-facility: -4% Facility: -3% ASC: 7% HOPD: 5% 45381 Non-facility: -4% Facility: -3% ASC: 7% HOPD: 5% 45384 Non-facility: -4% Facility: -3% ASC: 7% HOPD: 5% 45385 Non-facility: -3% Facility: -3% ASC: 7% HOPD: 5% n