Draft guidelines from the Endocrine Society advise that bariatric patients need long-term post-operative dietary and behavioral management, focusing on nutritional deficiencies, bone and joint health and obesity-related co-morbidities.
On Oct. 30, CMS released its final physician rule for 2010. An e-mail alert was sent to AGA members announcing a 21.2 percent cut in Medicare physician payments effective on Jan. 1, 2010, absent Congressional intervention. Taking into account overall changes in the fee schedule, GI payments see an extra decrease of 1 percent, so gastroenterology would be impacted by a 22.2 percent cut if the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula is not addressed for 2010.
Academic Skills Workshop