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.

Epic, provider groups sue companies over alleged scheme to sell patient data
In a lawsuit, the EHR giant accuses Health Gorilla, et al., of posing as patient care entities to gain access to nearly 300,000 medical records, in violation of HIPAA. Health Gorilla vehemently denies the allegations.
Senate Report: UnitedHealth was aggressive in seeking higher Medicare Advantage payments
The Wall Street Journal obtained a copy of a report from the Senate Judiciary Committee, which reviewed more than 50,000 documents sent by UnitedHealth related to its Medicare Advantage patients. The outlet published the findings of the inquiry.
Walmart dips its toe back into healthcare with new digital platform
Less than two years after closing its patient care clinics and selling its telehealth services, Walmart is re-entering healthcare with a new platform to match patients with virtual providers.
New healthcare private equity reporting requirements set to go into effect
HealthExec zooms in on laws passed in Massachusetts, Oregon and California that are set to change how hedge funds interact with patient care organizations.
Medtronic’s diabetes spin-off files for IPO
Make way for MiniMed! Medtronic's diabetes division has filed the necessary paperwork to go public. The company hopes to be traded on Nasdaq under the symbol MMED.

FDA Approves First Android Medical Image Viewer

Canada’s Calgary Scientific Inc has received FDA clearance to market their ResolutionMD™ software to diagnose medical images on Android devices

Viztek Adds Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Viewing

Viztek says it is now the first PACS vendor to provide viewing capabilities for digital breast tomosynthesis imaging and eliminate the need for a stand-alone viewing system

Tax Foundation Calls Medical Device Tax Bad Policy

The cost of the 2.3% excise tax on the manufacturers of medical devices will come out of money spent on research and development, and the pockets of patients, predicts the nonpartisan research organization

WSJ Highlights Progress and Challenges in Dose Reduction

The Wall Street Journal put a spotlight on radiologists’ and manufacturers’ efforts to minimize radiation from CT scanning

OIG, CMS Propose Expanding Anti-Kickback Safe Harbors to Speed EHR Adoption

Under Federal anti-kickback regulations, giving referring physicians software has long counted as a valuable gift that could induce improper referrals. Now the government is recognizing that this well intentioned regulation may be harming efforts to increase interoperability of electronic health records (EHRs)

Health Care Remains Up in Otherwise Weak Jobs Report

Health care employment rose by in March to 14,516,600 people, making it one of the few bright spots in the Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly jobs report

Department of Energy Lab Develops Way to Image Moving Subjects

The technology could allow brain imaging of patients such as infants, children or adults with conditions that make holding still without restraints and anesthesia difficult

Merge Seeks to Refinance Debt

Merge Healthcare Inc. has commenced a cash tender offer for any and all of its $252 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of 11.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2015

Business Intelligence

Epic, provider groups sue companies over alleged scheme to sell patient data

Senate Report: UnitedHealth was aggressive in seeking higher Medicare Advantage payments

Walmart dips its toe back into healthcare with new digital platform

New healthcare private equity reporting requirements set to go into effect

Medtronic’s diabetes spin-off files for IPO