Business Intelligence

Providers utilize business intelligence to monitor referral patterns and collaborate with clinicians who order their services. Such analytics tools have also been deployed in the specialty to improve productivity, track patient satisfaction and bolster quality.

Medicare Advantage insurer accused of upcoding by a whistleblower settles False Claims Act lawsuit for $22.5M
Independence Blue Cross, the largest medical insurance provider in the Philadelphia area, does not admit to wrongdoing. It was accused in a lawsuit backed by the U.S. Department of Justice of misrepresenting the severity of patient illnesses to juice risk-adjusted Medicare payments.
Housing AI company hits $4B valuation as it expands into healthcare
With its $350M in new funding, EliseAI said it plans to build out its technology and sales force. It currently works with specialty provider groups to automate practice operations such as scheduling and insurance verification.
Rural cardiology practices struggle to fill vacancies
A new survey put a spotlight on the staffing issues rural cardiology practices and health systems face on a daily basis.
Some physicians not only avoid burnout but also find fulfillment. Here’s how they do it.
Of surveyed and interviewed U.S. physicians who showed significant six-month improvement in follow-up vs. baseline wellness checks, 47% attributed the gain to active personal changes. Not far behind were those who credited active work-related changes—40% of the field.
Mayo Clinic, Thermo Fisher Scientific launch new AI-supported diagnostics company
The new entity, Precure, will be owned by both groups. Its work in detecting early disease for timely intervention stems from a research project launched this summer. The Mayo Clinic said Precure will make the results of that initiative actionable.

Underscoring Culture Change With Analytics

IMP

Welcome to the inaugural issue of MedAnalytx, the web journal of business analytics and informatics for the health-care practice.

Physician Engagement Through Analytics: Performance and Profitability

IMP

To many people, the evolution of the US health-care system is something taking place through the legislative process—in particular, the 2010 passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Debt Ceiling Deal Leaves Device Tax in Place

However, medical device developers may get another run at ending the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices soon

Mostashari Shares Concerns After Leaving ONC

In one of his first public speaking opportunities since leaving his position as head of the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology, Farzad Mostashari, MD, expressed some concerns he could not have shared before leaving the ONC

HIE Study Finds Major Savings in Reducing Duplicative Imaging in ERs

A study on how access to a health information exchange (HIE) in South Carolina impacted emergency department care costs found that nearly half of the more than $1 million in savings documented was due to a reduction in the need for ordering imaging tests

RSNA/ACR Support USPSTF Recommendation on CT Lung Cancer Screening but Wait to Issue Own Guidelines

In a statement of support for the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) draft recommendation in favor of CT lung cancer screening of high-risk individuals, the RSNA and ACR also stated that that the ACR is working on guidelines and practice standards, but for now, providers and patients should follow the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline for lung cancer screening

Diagnostic Laboratories and Radiology to Pay $17.5 Million Settlement

The California mobile radiology and laboratory company Diagnostic Laboratories and Radiology (Diagnostic Labs) has reached a settlement with the government over allegations that the company paid kickbacks for referrals

Obama's Radiologist Second Cousin to Run as Tea Party Candidate

Milton Wolf, a 42-year-old radiologist from Leawood, Kan., who practices at Alliance Radiology's Shawnee Mission Division, has announced that he will challenge U.S. Senator Pat Roberts in the Republican primary in Kansas next year

Business Intelligence

Medicare Advantage insurer accused of upcoding by a whistleblower settles False Claims Act lawsuit for $22.5M

Housing AI company hits $4B valuation as it expands into healthcare

Rural cardiology practices struggle to fill vacancies

Some physicians not only avoid burnout but also find fulfillment. Here’s how they do it.

Mayo Clinic, Thermo Fisher Scientific launch new AI-supported diagnostics company