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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Patients miss nearly 24% of outpatient imaging appointments, with most due to cancellation

Patients who are younger, unwed, live in disadvantaged neighborhoods, or lack adequate insurance are more likely to miss their exams.  

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Radiologists celebrate ‘partial victory’ in fight over payment for key CT service

Medicare Administrative Contractors have “consistently denied coverage" for CT cerebral perfusion analysis, used to assess for signs of stroke. 

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ACR urges ‘swift congressional action’ to increase the supply of radiologists

The college voiced its concerns in comments recently submitted to the Senate Finance Committee, which held a hearing on doc pay reform. 

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‘Extremely disappointed’: Biden administration gives payers more time to comply with No Surprises Act shakeup

Payers were slated to stop using the old qualifying payment approach May 1, but now have an additional six months to comply. 

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Lawmakers slam UnitedHealth handling of Change cyberattack amid lingering impact on physician practices

Finance Committee Chairman and Sen. Ron Wyden called the Feb. 21 incident "the biggest cybersecurity disruption to healthcare in American history.” 

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Walmart’s experiment offering imaging at its superstores fails as retailer closes all clinics

"The challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs create a lack of profitability that make the care business unsustainable," the retailer said in an announcement. 

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Radiologist shortage leaves patients facing imaging delays at upward of 2 weeks in 1 state

Numerous hospitals are grappling with unfilled positions and exam backlogs, Michigan Hospital Association CEO Brian Peters told the Detroit News. 

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Appeals court revives suit alleging radiology practice used nonmedical-grade monitors to submit $6M in false claims

The case dates to June 2019 when whistleblower and Arizona IT executive Eric Stenson first filed suit against Tucson-based Radiology Limited. 

Around the web

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.

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.

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