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.

Health insurer Highmark will provide 100% coverage for all diagnostic breast imaging
The new policy applies to all health plans across Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and Delaware, “removing financial barriers for essential breast cancer diagnostics.”
Large nonprofit health system sues PBMs, drug companies over insulin prices
Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health has accused the three biggest PBMs—Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum Rx—of a de facto collusion scheme involving the primary makers of insulin, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi. The lawsuit alleges rebates offered by the manufacturers unfairly burden self-insured and public health plans, like the one the health system uses for its employees.
Radiology leader out $1M after online romance turns into crypto investment scam
A radiology manager from Connecticut is speaking out about being scammed by an individual she says took advantage of her emotions at a vulnerable time.
Private equity-backed cardiology group expands its roster
Florida-based Cardiovascular Associates of America, one of the largest private equity-backed cardiology management groups in the United States, just got a little bigger.
UnitedHealthcare adds new roadblock around radiology reimbursement
An impending policy change from UHC could cause providers to jump through additional hoops to receive payment for some imaging-related services.

AMA study shows four pharmacy benefit managers control 70% of the market

The study from the American Medical Association is based on data from commercial and Medicare Part D plans. The analysis found market share for PBMs is heavily concentrated, leading to higher drug costs.

SpectraWAVE, a Massachusetts-based imaging company focused on treatments for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), has closed a $50 million funding round. Johnson & Johnson Innovation led the round, and other participants included S3 Ventures, Lumira Ventures, SV Health Investors, Deerfield Management, NovaVenture and Heartwork Capital.

SpectraWAVE raises $50M for FDA-cleared intravascular imaging technology

The funds, including a significant investment from Johnson & Johnson, are expected to go toward expanding access to the company's HyperVue Imaging System and exploring new features.

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ACR concerned pay cap on CT-based colon cancer screening could make service ‘untenable’

Medicare wants to limit the technical component for the exam to the HOPPS rate, which would represent an 81% reduction to the MPFS amount of $459.92.

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Coalition repping over 1M radiologists and other clinicians urges Congress to fix ‘systemic’ payment flaws

“Congress must act before the end of 2024 to provide clinicians with the financial stability needed to ensure beneficiaries continue to have access to high-quality care,” the groups wrote.

Imaging vendor faces delisting from the Nasdaq due to low stock price

Breast scanner-maker QT Imaging first started trading its shares in March following a long-delayed merger deal and related lawsuit.

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Steward paid $719M dividend to private equity owner prior to bankruptcy

The 2016 payout totaled $770 million, with $71 million going to executives at Steward Health Care. That year, the hospital chain reported a net loss of $300 million.

Abiomed, Biosense Webster, Cerenovus now all known as Johnson & Johnson MedTech

These companies were already part of the Johnson & Johnson family, but they had still retained their previous brand names. Now, each one is officially going by Johnson & Johnson MedTech.

Healthcare systems set up at the ACC.24 career fair in hopes of filling open positions, including a large and growing number of general cardiologist positions. Photo by Dave Fornell #ACC24 #ACC2024

Healthcare job growth slowing, down nearly 50% on the year

There were 31,000 new healthcare jobs added in August, a downward trend from the 60,000 average over the last 12 months.

Economics

Health insurer Highmark will provide 100% coverage for all diagnostic breast imaging

Large nonprofit health system sues PBMs, drug companies over insulin prices

Radiology leader out $1M after online romance turns into crypto investment scam

Private equity-backed cardiology group expands its roster

UnitedHealthcare adds new roadblock around radiology reimbursement