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.

Vascular imaging at heart of $71M fraud scheme—DOJ announces prison sentences
The years-long scheme involved sending kickbacks to physicians who ordered unnecessary transcranial doppler exams. Two conspirators have now been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay substantial fines.
CMS defers $260M in Medicaid funds as part of ‘major crackdown on healthcare fraud’
The money was meant for Minnesota, where criminals were indicted for abusing the Medicaid system to run bogus daycare centers. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not specify how the state can rectify the situation to the Trump administration’s satisfaction.
Walgreens cuts 628 jobs and closes distribution facility, alarming private equity watchdog
Sycamore Partners took over the struggling retail pharmacy chain roughly six months ago, and the Private Equity Stakeholder Project fears early staffing cuts and store closures could spell trouble for the long-term health of the newly restructured business.
Medtronic’s diabetes division seeks $7.9B valuation in upcoming IPO
MiniMed, Medtronic's diabetes business, hopes to sell 28 million shares of its common stock at a price of $25 to $28 per share.
How the rise of AI could lead to efficiency issues and lower reimbursement payments
AI has shown the potential to transform patient care. However, there are more details to consider than many health systems and policymakers realize.

Vascular imaging at heart of $71M fraud scheme—DOJ announces prison sentences

The years-long scheme involved sending kickbacks to physicians who ordered unnecessary transcranial doppler exams. Two conspirators have now been sentenced to prison and ordered to pay substantial fines.

CMS defers $260M in Medicaid funds as part of ‘major crackdown on healthcare fraud’

The money was meant for Minnesota, where criminals were indicted for abusing the Medicaid system to run bogus daycare centers. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not specify how the state can rectify the situation to the Trump administration’s satisfaction.

Vintage neon drug sign at the Walgreens pharmacy on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans.

Walgreens cuts 628 jobs and closes distribution facility, alarming private equity watchdog

Sycamore Partners took over the struggling retail pharmacy chain roughly six months ago, and the Private Equity Stakeholder Project fears early staffing cuts and store closures could spell trouble for the long-term health of the newly restructured business.

Medtronic’s diabetes division seeks $7.9B valuation in upcoming IPO

MiniMed, Medtronic's diabetes business, hopes to sell 28 million shares of its common stock at a price of $25 to $28 per share.

Friederike Keating, MD, professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine, and director of nuclear cardiology at University of Vermont Health, said artificial intelligence (AI) in medical imaging may actually increase costs and make workflows less efficient in some instances. She said this is a key thing for health systems and policy makers to keep in mind if there is not clear data showing it helps.

How the rise of AI could lead to efficiency issues and lower reimbursement payments

AI has shown the potential to transform patient care. However, there are more details to consider than many health systems and policymakers realize.

The new AHA initiative is being funded in part by a $1 million donation made by Jennifer Ashton, MD, who became a household name thanks to years of appearances on ABC News, Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show, and her husband, TV producer Tom Werner. Ashton is a board-certified OB-GYN and nutrition specialist. She worked as the chief medical correspondent for ABC News and Good Morning America for several years. She is also an author, columnist and longtime AHA volunteer.

AHA launches women’s health initiative—doctor Jen Ashton and husband donate $1M

Jennifer Ashton, MD, an OB-GYN who became a household name thanks to years of appearances on ABC News and Good Morning America, hopes this new initiative can help cardiologists learn more about such topics as menopause and hormone therapy.

UI proposes putting millions toward upgrading downtown radiology facilities.

University of Iowa proposes $12M radiology department renovation

Leaders at UI indicate that the organization's computed tomography and nuclear medicine equipment is “at the end of its lifespan."

It’s about to get harder for many Medicare patients to see a cardiologist

UnitedHealthcare now requires patients enrolled in certain Medicare Advantage plans to receive a PCP referral before seeing a cardiologist. On May 1, the insurer will start denying all claims that do not include the necessary referral. UnitedHealthcare argues that "stronger PCP engagement" is good for patient care, but many stakeholders disagree.