CMS has made it a priority to increase payments for procedures performed by office-based labs and ambulatory surgical centers. This was reflected in policy changes made as part of the 2026 Medicare Physicians Fee Schedule.

This is a cash and stock transaction that values Penumbra at $374 per share. The move helps Boston Scientific expand its vascular and neurovascular portfolios, gaining new treatments for pulmonary embolism, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and many other critical cardiovascular conditions. 

The company currently has an FDA-cleared cardiac MRI platform but is looking to further its reach into other anatomies, such as the brain, prostate and spine.

Rural hospitals face greater challenges than their metropolitan counterparts in keeping medical equipment operational, because there's rarely a vendor technician around when they need one. 

As of January 3, 2026, data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shows that, while 22.8 million Americans used Affordable Care Act exchanges to buy medical coverage, that’s 1.2 million fewer enrollees than last year. 

The device at the heart of this transaction is the PerQseal Elite system, a fully bioabsorbable patch for percutaneous vessel closure. The technology has already gained key approvals in Europe. 

CMS previously announced it was temporarily reassigning payment codes for coronary CT angiography, resulting in a 104% higher technical fee. 

Research from healthcare data analytics firm Trilliant Health found that negotiated rates carry a higher price tag for common services, calling into question the value of transparency regulations.