2021 GI Outlook (GO) Conference | November 2021-GI Practice in a Post-COVID World

Pdf Summary

The article discusses the challenges and uncertainties faced by gastrointestinal (GI) practices in a post-COVID world. It highlights the need for practice efficiency optimization, diversification, and ASC (Ambulatory Surgical Center) operations optimization. The article also emphasizes the importance of political and regulatory updates, revenue cycle management, information management, and utilizing the internet in practice. It notes the challenges faced by GI practices, such as reimbursement cuts, increasing costs, consolidation of hospitals and payers, and the increasing burden of GI diseases. The article then discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the GI practice, including quick expense reductions and revenue repair strategies. It highlights the joint efforts of GI societies in addressing the challenges. The article emphasizes the need for preparedness, practice management, professional leadership, and networking. Communication, teamwork, and a solid foundation are deemed essential. The article acknowledges the constraints of the macroeconomic and political environment, the broken healthcare system, and the slow pace of change in U.S. politics. It discusses the categories of individuals in the U.S. healthcare system and underscores the uncertainties that persist in the post-COVID GI practice, including the economic downturn, shifts in health insurance, continued downward pressure on reimbursement, the need for professional management, and the challenges of dealing with backlog and rightsizing. The article highlights the continued consolidation of practices and explores new advancements in non-endoscopic CRC screening, FIT testing, serological testing, endoscopic techniques and technology, AI utilization, and the potential for innovative scope purchasing models. The article concludes by mentioning the 80th anniversary of ASGE (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy).

Asset Subtitle

Klaus Mergener, MD, PhD, MBA, MASGE

Keywords

post-COVID challenges

practice efficiency optimization

ASC operations optimization

revenue cycle management

GI diseases burden

COVID-19 impact

expense reductions

revenue repair strategies

non-endoscopic CRC screening

ASGE 80th anniversary