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.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa

Hundreds of lawmakers urge House to pass radiologist pay fix during lame duck session

“The overwhelming, bipartisan support is a testament to the importance of fixing this issue," said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa, who led the letter-writing effort. 

Raleigh Radiology

Raleigh Radiology bests UNC in battle over state’s certificate-of-need law

State authorities recently gave the 75-year-old private practice the go-ahead to purchase an MRI scanner for its imaging center in Clayton, North Carolina. 

Steve MacMillan Hologic

Hologic to acquire developer of ultrasound imaging device for $350M

Gynesonics is the creator of the Sonata System, which is the first FDA-cleared device for diagnosis and treatment of certain symptomatic fibroids. 

DirectMed Imaging

Private equity firm acquires radiology parts and services provider DirectMed Imaging

After acquiring the Poway, California, company in 2021, NMS Capital is now selling off its stake to fellow PE group Frazier Healthcare Partners. 

Example of an automated artificial intelligence (AI) assessment of soft coronary plaque from a CT scan from the vendor Cleerly. The AI gives a very detailed report of all the plaque in all the coronary vessels. Some cardiology experts believe this may be the way of the future in screening patients for early coronary disease and monitoring the impact of prevention efforts such as statins to determine if more aggressive treatments are needed.

Medicare administrative contractors approve coverage of AI-enabled quantitative CT

Four of the seven Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) announced they will now cover artificial intelligence-enabled quantitative coronary tomography (AI-QCT) and coronary plaque analysis (AI-CPA). 

Humana

Radiology groups express ‘profound objection’ to Humana labeling interventional service as ‘unproven’

The Society of Interventional Radiology and others are concerned about commercial plan coverage for closed-loop spinal cord stimulation, a key pain-management technique. 

Elizabeth Warren

Members of Congress introduce bill to halt private equity ‘looting’ of healthcare entities

The Stop Wall Street Looting Act closes regulatory loopholes and ends incentives that allow investors to “pillage” acquired businesses, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and colleagues note.  

mammography mammogram breast imaging

US Radiology Specialists expands pipeline for attracting techs amid ‘critical shortage’

The Raleigh, North Carolina, imaging group is broadening the reach of its Technologist Advancement Academy, which provides specialized training and career pathways for employees.  

Around the web

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

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.