Economics

This channel highlights factors that impact hospital and healthcare economics and revenue. This includes news on healthcare policies, reimbursement, marketing, business plans, mergers and acquisitions, supply chain, salaries, staffing, and the implementation of a cost-effective environment for patients and providers.

Senators release new details on how Congress could reform radiologist Medicare payment system
Reforms could include creating more sustainable payment updates to ensure radiologists can continue owning and operating practices and rethinking how Medicare measures quality.
Amid ‘ever-escalating’ costs in cancer care, experts say its ‘imperative’ radiology screens for financial toxicity
Despite this dire need, there is wide variability in such processes, including the timing, setting, tools utilized and interpretation of the results, according to new research.
Private equity dealmaking in healthcare stalls amid persistent bid-ask gap, negative regulatory environment
PE sponsors announced or closed about 158 transactions in the first quarter (including five in imaging), a “downward trend even from 2023’s sluggish pace,” Pitchbook reports.
Biopsy before ablation has no cost advantage over both-at-once approach
Established guidelines recommend biopsying small tumors of the kidney ahead of any procedure to ablate them. A new study confirms the validity of pursuing another pathway.
Radvocates applaud bipartisan bill that would end decade-long decline in Medicare reimbursement
The Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value-Based Program Act of 2024 would build on the shelved RO Model and save the federal payment program $200M.

Medicare money payment physician. The CardioVascular Coalition and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions have both issued new statements highlighting their issues with the 2024 MPFS proposed rule.

UnitedHealth’s Optum to acquire 9-state multispecialty radiology provider

Dallas-based Steward Medical Group spans 450 practices, employing over 1,700 providers including 180-plus radiologists.

March 28, 2024

Medicare money payment reimbursement dollar decline. More than 100 U.S. medical societies are throwing their support behind a new proposal that could reform out-of-date Medicare policies and help limit future payment cuts.

Imaging’s total share of US healthcare spending plummets as others record gains

The percentage of patients who received imaging services also declined from 46% in 2010 down to 40% by 2021, experts wrote in Health Affairs Scholar.

March 27, 2024

Phoenix Radiology inks deal with critical access hospital after previous imaging partner departs

Clarkston, Washington-based TriState Health had worked with Twin Cities Radiology for 25 years, with the practice ending the relationship due to retirement.

March 27, 2024

Auburn University SIemens 7T magnetom scanner

University charts a world’s first with clinical use of new $9M 7T MRI system

The Siemens Magnetom scanner utilizes dedicated radiofrequency sodium coils and parallel transmit technology—a “stark” difference from older models

March 26, 2024

Radiology the only category to see year-over-year decrease in insurers’ max allowed amount

Transparency firm Fair Health recently analyzed data around this key figure, which represents the highest amount a plan will pay for a covered service.

March 26, 2024

Judge declines to toss radiologist’s lawsuit alleging age discrimination led to her firing

Septuagenarian Claire Hanley, MD, first sued the country’s largest municipal health system in 2019 after she was replaced by someone 30 years younger.

March 26, 2024

nCommand Lite remote scanning GE Healthcare Ionic

GE HealthCare touts FDA clearance of solution that allows technologists to scan remotely

The offering is from Ionic Health, which is based in São Paulo, Brazil, where the company has already tested the technology for three years.

March 25, 2024

Radiologists voice support for lawsuit against Biden administration

The American College of Radiology, American College of Emergency Physicians and American Society of Anesthesiologists want a court of appeals to uphold a recent ruling.

March 25, 2024

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.

Cardiovascular Business

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

Economics

Senators release new details on how Congress could reform radiologist Medicare payment system

Amid ‘ever-escalating’ costs in cancer care, experts say its ‘imperative’ radiology screens for financial toxicity

Private equity dealmaking in healthcare stalls amid persistent bid-ask gap, negative regulatory environment

Biopsy before ablation has no cost advantage over both-at-once approach

Radvocates applaud bipartisan bill that would end decade-long decline in Medicare reimbursement

Around the web