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 considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients
After an official request from Edwards Lifesciences, CMS is rethinking its coverage policy for the use of TAVR to treat asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The agency is accepting public comments on this topic until Jan. 14.
Venture capital investors have poured over $11B into radiology since 2000
The most funded categories across the specialty included medical devices ($3.2B), AI software ($2.5B), and biotechnology ($2.1B).
Lumexa Imaging no longer controlled by private equity following IPO
“We view this as meaningfully credit positive for its financial policy because private equity investors tend to favor high leverage to enhance their returns,” S&P notes.
Interventional radiology group inks 3 more urology practice partnerships across 3 states
IR Centers, a platform company dedicated to offering minimally invasive procedures in diverse outpatient settings, is teaming with doc groups in Alabama, Texas and Virginia.
California leads coalition of 20 states suing Trump over $100K H-1B visa policy
The plaintiffs argue that the administration has overstepped its authority and that only Congress can levy such hefty fees. As noted in the lawsuit, healthcare relies on skilled labor immigration to bring doctors, nurses and researchers into the country.

cardiologists going through the certification process

CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients

After an official request from Edwards Lifesciences, CMS is rethinking its coverage policy for the use of TAVR to treat asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The agency is accepting public comments on this topic until Jan. 14.

Venture capital investors have poured over $11B into radiology since 2000

The most funded categories across the specialty included medical devices ($3.2B), AI software ($2.5B), and biotechnology ($2.1B).

Lumexa Imaging no longer controlled by private equity following IPO

“We view this as meaningfully credit positive for its financial policy because private equity investors tend to favor high leverage to enhance their returns,” S&P notes.

Interventional radiology group inks 3 more urology practice partnerships across 3 states

IR Centers, a platform company dedicated to offering minimally invasive procedures in diverse outpatient settings, is teaming with doc groups in Alabama, Texas and Virginia.

passport visa foreign international travel

California leads coalition of 20 states suing Trump over $100K H-1B visa policy

The plaintiffs argue that the administration has overstepped its authority and that only Congress can levy such hefty fees. As noted in the lawsuit, healthcare relies on skilled labor immigration to bring doctors, nurses and researchers into the country.

Philips to acquire AI-enabled intravascular imaging specialists SpectraWAVE

Massachusetts-based SpectraWAVE has gained considerable momentum in recent years, planting its flag in some of cardiology’s biggest trends. The company was co-founded by cardiologists and has already secured multiple FDA clearances.

Richard Heller, MD, MBA, FACR, senior vice president of health policy at Radiology Partners, and involved in policy advocacy with the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), explains the key policy issues impacting radiology, including the CMS efficiency cuts and unfair policies by Anthem insurance.

Radiology policy shifts threaten patient access and physician sustainability

Radiology Partners' Richard Heller, MD, MBA, outlined several mounting policy pressures providers face heading into 2026.

Arnold Seto, MD, MPA, FACC, FSCAI, cath lab director, Long Beach VA Medical Center, professor of medicine at Charles Drew University, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) treasurer and chair of the SCAI Advocacy Committee, explains changes in payment policy are making ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) and office based labs (OBL) more attractive to both cardiologists and larger health systems.

More interventional procedures may be coming to an ambulatory surgical center near you

ASCs have their limitations, but they are also associated with several benefits for cardiologists and patients alike.