GLP-1 prescriptions soar 587%; $16M hospice fraud and money laundering scheme; AI model spots hidden signs of sudden cardiac death risk better than doctors – Morning Medical Update

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GLP-1 prescriptions soar 587% as obesity treatment shifts away from surgery

A new analysis from FAIR Health shows GLP-1 drug use for obesity has surged 587% since 2019, now surpassing 2% of U.S. adults. The rise coincides with a 42% drop in bariatric surgeries. Based on over 51 billion health care claims, the report highlights how medications like semaglutide are reshaping obesity treatment, signaling a major shift in care patterns and patient preferences. Check out more from Medical Economics’ sister site, Patient Care Online.

California man pleads guilty in $16M hospice fraud and money laundering scheme

Mihran Panosyan, 46, of Winnetka, Califorina, pleaded guilty to laundering over $4.6 million from a fraudulent hospice scheme that billed Medicare nearly $16 million for care never provided. Panosyan and co-conspirators used fake identities, sham companies and shell accounts to submit false claims and conceal proceeds, which were spent on real estate and personal expenses. He faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing in September.

AI model spots hidden signs of sudden cardiac death risk at a better rate than doctors

A new Johns Hopkins-led study shows that an artificial intelligence (AI) tool can predict who’s at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest far more accurately than doctors. Published in Nature Cardiovascular Research, the model analyzes MRI scans and health records to detect dangerous heart scarring in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It was 89% accurate overall and 93% accurate in middle-aged adults — far outperforming current clinical guidelines, which often miss those most in danger.