Blog

  • Aetna Coverage - ESG

    February 6, 2026

    ASGE, ACG, and AGA jointly urged Aetna to update its coverage policy so that endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). Our goal is for Aetna to explicitly recognize ESG as a covered bariatric/endobariatric option.

  • CY2026 Tri-Society Coding Update

    February 5, 2026

    ASGE, ACG, and AGA released their jointly developed 2026 CPT Coding Updates for Gastroenterology. This tri‑society resource provides consolidated guidance on new, revised, and deleted codes affecting GI and endoscopic services in the 2026 calendar year.

  • CMS Announces Small Rate Bump for Medicare Advantage Plans

    February 5, 2026

    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing an increase of 0.09 percent, or over $700 million, in Medicare Advantage (MA) payments to plans in CY 2027. By comparison, the rate increase was 5.06 percent for 2026.

  • CRC Community Presses HHS for Bowel Prep Guidance

    February 5, 2026

    ASGE and colorectal cancer groups asked CMS to clarify bowel prep coverage so all FDA-approved options meeting efficacy standards are covered without cost sharing for screening colonoscopies and follow-up exams after abnormal noninvasive tests.

  • ASGE Asks Doc Caucuses to Scrap MIPS

    January 22, 2026

    In a letter to GOP and Democratic Doctors Caucus leaders, ASGE urged repeal of Medicare’s MIPS and recommended replacing it with RVU-based incentives that reward quality and patient outcomes using measures prioritized by specialty societies.

  • Telehealth Expansion and Other Health Measures Included in Spending Bill

    January 22, 2026

    Congressional lawmakers have inked a deal to renew several major public health programs and fund bipartisan health reforms and have tacked them into a fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending measure.

  • Trump Asked to Recognize March as CRC Awareness Month

    January 22, 2026

    ASGE and more than 30 other members of the colorectal cancer (CRC) community sent a letter this month to President Trump asking that he issue a proclamation designating March 2026 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

  • Spending Bill Would Boost NIH Funding

    January 22, 2026

    Earlier this week, House and Senate appropriators released a bipartisan, bicameral fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bill which includes funding for the Department of Health and Human Services.

  • GOP Doc Caucus Meets with SBA Administrator

    January 22, 2026

    On January 8, the GOP Doctors Caucus met with Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler to discuss the importance of small, independent practices in health care.

  • Administration Pauses Certain Immigrant Visas

    January 22, 2026

    Effective Jan. 21, 2026, the Trump Administration is pausing the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries. The directive applies to those seeking to immigrate permanently to the United States from the 75 countries.

  • The Great Healthcare Plan Announced

    January 22, 2026

    On Thursday, January 15, 2026, President Trump announced The Great Healthcare Plan, describing it as his administration’s vision for health reform.

  • ASGE Answers Your Coding Questions

    January 8, 2026

    We are seeing Cigna and other payers downcoding our claims. These were level 4 claims submitted with diarrhea, GERD, IBS, etc. What can we do to prevent this?

  • Case 34: Esophagus

    January 8, 2026

    A 62-year-old, Caucasian male presents for a 6-month history of nausea and abdominal discomfort​. He reports a 10-year history of heartburn at least 4 times per week, taking calcium carbonate for relief.

  • Working Towards Stronger Performance in 2026

    January 8, 2026

    Is driving smarter capacity planning in 2026 part of your team’s playbook? Read on for responses from ASGE committee members who share their plans for stronger performance in the New Year.

  • CMS Launches New Value-Based Payment Model

    January 8, 2026

    CMS launched the MAHA ELEVATE Model, a new Medicare value-based payment model supporting evidence-based whole-person care, including lifestyle and functional medicine. Up to 30 awards will fund data collection on these interventions starting in 2026.