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.

Chinese radiology vendors dodge high tariffs with US-based factories
United Imaging and other manufacturers that have established American factories may remain insulated from the trade war.
Tariffs will likely have a sizable impact on major radiology vendors
Medical device vendors Siemens, Philips and GE all saw drops in their stock prices after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs April 2.
RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition
RadNet provides 1.9M mammograms per year in the U.S., and adding iCAD’s installed customer base would boost the number of impacted exams to 10M.
Radiology groups face hardships under the Medicare MIPS program
Erik Rockswold, director research and quality, Rayus Radiology, explains the administrative burdens radiology groups experience for little return from the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.
Interventional radiologists ‘markedly’ increase billing for nonprocedural work, despite drop in overall doc count
"These findings underscore IR’s accelerating transition toward comprehensive patient care, with significant implications for training, practice management, and the specialty’s role within the broader healthcare landscape," experts write.

colorectal cancer colon CTC CRC colonoscopy

Medicare instructs contractors to begin covering CT colorectal cancer screening

CMS emphasized that all coinsurance and deductibles should be waived for the exam, noting that MACs have until July 1 to comply with the change.

Radiology practice will pay $2.9M to settle allegations it falsified PPP loan documents

Fairfax Radiological Consultants, located in the D.C. metro area, had employed over 500 individuals as of 2019, but by April 2020, its roster was down to fewer than 100, the DOJ note.

artificial intelligence AI in government

Imaging industry lobbying group ‘disappointed’ with White House’s latest round of tariffs

AdvaMed—which represents manufacturers including Canon, GE HealthCare, Philips and Siemens Healthineers—is pushing for an imaging exemption.

Radiologist Radiology Money Dollar X-ray Scan Finance

Stark Law loophole allows ordering physicians to self-interpret hundreds of thousands of images each year

Experts believe their findings signal the need for potential policy reform in Washington to address perceived conflicts of interest.

Radiology provider MedQuest part of deal to acquire 18 imaging centers from 1 of nation’s largest orthopedic groups

OrthoCarolina is the seller, unloading locations across its home city of Charlotte and the Piedmont Triad region that includes Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point.

insurance insurer payment claim denial reimbursement prior authorization

Radiology-supported law change would tighten screws on prior authorization requests

The Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 is endorsed by 30 trade groups including the Society of Interventional Radiology and MGMA.

Unnecessary imaging wastes $12B a year and uses enough electricity to power a small town

Between 2017 and 2021, all inappropriate imaging generated upward of 129.2 kilotons per year, with CT and MRI accounting for the largest portion.

Bipartisan bill would allow radiologists and other physicians to own certain hospitals

The American Hospital Association announced its opposition March 27, contending docs will "inflate healthcare costs and drain essential resources."

Around the web

Health Imaging

MRI projectile incident likely to result in a 'seven-figure sum' repair bill for hospital

News of an incident is a stark reminder that healthcare workers and patients aren’t the only ones who need to be aware around MRI suites.

Health Imaging

American College of Radiology announces significant expansion of Lung Cancer Screening Registry

The ACR hopes these changes, including the addition of diagnostic performance feedback, will help reduce the number of patients with incidental nodules lost to follow-up each year.

Health Imaging

AI reduces CT lung cancer screening workload by nearly 80%

And it can do so with almost 100% accuracy as a first reader, according to a new large-scale analysis.

Economics

Chinese radiology vendors dodge high tariffs with US-based factories

Tariffs will likely have a sizable impact on major radiology vendors

RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition

Radiology groups face hardships under the Medicare MIPS program

Interventional radiologists ‘markedly’ increase billing for nonprocedural work, despite drop in overall doc count

Around the web