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.

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An example of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) imaging. Image courtesy of RSNA

Despite radiation exposure and fracture risk, pricey QCT bone density scans are rising in popularity

The increase may be an unintended result of a cut in DXA reimbursement rates in 2007, a MedPage Today article suggests. 

The ASNC is one of several medical imaging societies asking Congress to repeal the appropriate use criteria (AUC) criteria mandate. They say it poses issues for clinicians and is becoming outdated by changes in CMS payment systems. The AUC requirements call for documentation using CVMS authorized software in order to show advanced imaging such as nuclear and CT is justified, or else Medicare payments might be withheld.

American Society of Nuclear Cardiology urges Congress to speed prior authorizations, repeal AUC mandate 

Over the past few weeks, members of ASNC’s Health Policy Committee have held meetings with their members of Congress.

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Significant disparities exist in utilization of self-scheduling radiology exams, research shows

Researchers revealed that less than 1% of more than 46,000 patients took advantage of online self-scheduling tools.

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AI boosts performance of novice nurses when assessing pregnant patients via ultrasound

Using a handheld probe and smartphone, nurse midwives were able to estimate gestational age as accurately as certified sonographers.


 

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Radiologist pay hits $437,000, good for 8th place among highest earning physician specialists

This marks the 1st time in the survey’s 11-year history that physicians across all areas of expertise earned a pay increase, including radiologists, who gained 6%, Medscape reported Friday.  

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New York grants nurse practitioners full practice authority, despite radiologist opposition

The move allows Empire State NPs to order and interpret diagnostic tests without requiring a written practice agreement from a physician. 

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Screening breast MRI results in more downstream healthcare costs than mammography alone

Women who underwent magnetic resonance imaging experienced more subsequent scans, procedures, healthcare visits and hospitalizations. 

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Imaging industry advocate slams feds’ failure to address PET coverage gap in recent ruling

The Society for Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging expressed "strong opposition" following CMS' decision, arguing there is no evidence to support limiting pay for such scans. 

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Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

Cardiovascular Business
GE HealthCare moves PET/CT scanner production to United States

The all-in-one Omni Legend PET/CT scanner is now being manufactured in a new production facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin.