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.

Boston Scientific’s coronary DCB gains new Medicare reimbursement
The first coronary DCB to gain FDA approval just received an additional reimbursement that could improve patient access.
Medical imaging a heavy contributor to Medicare waste, study finds
The payment program spent $484 million on 15 different low-value imaging services, a figure that balloons to $584 million when factoring for out-of-pocket costs.
Imaging AI vendor earns nationwide UnitedHealthcare coverage, sets $1.3B value ahead of IPO
California-based Heartflow, which offers an AI software that assesses coronary CT angiography scans, hopes to raise over $200 million through the stock offering.
Private practice takes over Radiology Partners hospital contract
Effective immediately, Midstate Radiology Associates will deliver imaging reads at Windham Hospital, in Willimantic, Conn.
New number-crunching shows Medicare could save itself more than $2.5B a year by just saying ‘No’ to 5 low-value services
No single CMS strategy has proven an inarguable success at delivering significant cost savings while optimizing patient outcomes and minimizing clinical risks. Two researchers think they’ve found a way.

Radiology among 4 specialties seeing greatest year-over-year pay gains: Doximity

In 2024, the average radiologist saw their compensation climb about 7.5%, up to $571,749, behind only pediatric nephrology (15.6%), preventive medicine (10%), and pediatrics/general medicine (8.5%).

Imaging experts warn of challenges implementing CMS radiology quality measure

Voluntary reporting started in January, while mandatory compliance is slated to begin in 2027, experts write in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

UnitedHealth’s Optum Radiology division expands imaging services on East Coast

Industry watchers have accused the healthcare conglomerate of having conflicting interests—employing docs and delivering medical imaging while also negotiating contracts with radiology practices.

Technologists shouldn’t be alone when administering contrast for remote imaging scans, radiology groups say

One imaging policy expert called this stance from ACR and ASRT a “devastating blow” to physician offices and independent diagnostic testing facilities who use virtual supervision for Medicare patients.

Father-son scan startup Maui Imaging balloons fundraising to $40M

Founded in 2006 by Don and Dave Specht, the Arizona company’s computed “echo tomography” product uses sound waves to cross through body barriers for “rapid and effective imaging.”

Alan Matsumoto, MD, FSIR, FACR, FAHA, Chairman of Board for the American College of Radiology, professor of radiology and chair of the Department of Radiology, at the University of Virginia, explains ACR support for the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act bill in Congress that calls for appropriate use criteria to be used instead of prior authorization.

ACR supports bringing back clinical decision support to combat prior authorizations

Alan Matsumoto, MD, chair of the American College of Radiology, explains ACR support for the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act in Congress.

GE Healthcare's Venue Go point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) system features AI-enabled tools to speed workflows, including Caption Guidance to help non-expert users capture diagnostic quality cardiac images. These systems helped drive positive earnings for the company in Q2 2025.

Despite tariffs, GE HealthCare sees sales growth in imaging systems and radiopharmaceuticals

Lower than expected tariff rates and the largest-ever order for Omni Legend PET/CT systems in the U.S. helped keep the bottom line positive.

Private radiology practice says UnitedHealthcare ‘unwilling to compromise’ in contract negotiations

Radiologist Andrew Hill, MD, says the insurer refuses to reimburse for services in Chattanooga at the same rate as other Tennessee communities such as Memphis and Nashville.

Economics

Boston Scientific’s coronary DCB gains new Medicare reimbursement

Medical imaging a heavy contributor to Medicare waste, study finds

Imaging AI vendor earns nationwide UnitedHealthcare coverage, sets $1.3B value ahead of IPO

Private practice takes over Radiology Partners hospital contract

New number-crunching shows Medicare could save itself more than $2.5B a year by just saying ‘No’ to 5 low-value services