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.

CMS boosts Medicare Advantage reimbursement as Dr. Oz takes over
CMS more than doubled the raise in payments for covered services proposed by Biden, increasing the amount from 2.23% to 5.06%.
Judge halts HHS’s $11B cuts to state healthcare programs
In issuing an injunction, a federal district court in Rhode Island ruled that states and their populations would suffer irreparable harm if the funds allocated by Congress were not granted to them.
Medicare Advantage fails to cut radiation therapy costs, despite heavy prior authorization burden
MA cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy tallied higher spending and longer average treatment duration compared to their counterparts on traditional Medicare.
Medicare instructs contractors to begin covering CT colorectal cancer screening
CMS emphasized that all coinsurance and deductibles should be waived for the exam, noting that MACs have until July 1 to comply with the change.
Rural America lost 3,300 medical practices in five years, report shows
A data analysis from the Physicians Advocacy Institute and Avalere Health found corporate buyouts are leaving patients in low-population areas with fewer options, as doctors are opting to go elsewhere.

Medicare Advantage Part C clipboard payment

CMS boosts Medicare Advantage reimbursement as Dr. Oz takes over

CMS more than doubled the raise in payments for covered services proposed by Biden, increasing the amount from 2.23% to 5.06%.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sign.

Judge halts HHS’s $11B cuts to state healthcare programs

In issuing an injunction, a federal district court in Rhode Island ruled that states and their populations would suffer irreparable harm if the funds allocated by Congress were not granted to them.

Medicare Advantage fails to cut radiation therapy costs, despite heavy prior authorization burden

MA cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy tallied higher spending and longer average treatment duration compared to their counterparts on traditional Medicare.

colorectal cancer colon CTC CRC colonoscopy

Medicare instructs contractors to begin covering CT colorectal cancer screening

CMS emphasized that all coinsurance and deductibles should be waived for the exam, noting that MACs have until July 1 to comply with the change.

Rural America lost 3,300 medical practices in five years, report shows

A data analysis from the Physicians Advocacy Institute and Avalere Health found corporate buyouts are leaving patients in low-population areas with fewer options, as doctors are opting to go elsewhere.

FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners

The FTC has back-burnered its price collusion case against CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts after significant staff departures at the agency left it uncertain how to proceed.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Boston Scientific finalizes Bolt Medical acquisition as FDA clears company’s IVL technology

Boston Scientific hopes to officially launch its new IVL system in the first half of 2026.