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.

MGMA warns of government overreach in the proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The Medical Group Management Association shares concerns about the draft fee schedule published in July. A major concern is the government possibly changing how RVUs are set, rather than allowing the medical specialty representatives to have a say.
Median medical school debt among radiology-bound graduates is $200,000
This figure fell by 19.4% in 2024, from a peak indebtedness of $237,600 as of 2015, researchers wrote Thursday.
3 key questions about private equity’s impact on radiology
“Some radiologists harbor deepening concerns about these trends, including moral distress," two members of the specialty write in JACR.
House lawmakers criticize Medicare pay model targeting ‘wasteful’ interventional radiology services
CMS is seeking to cut unnecessary use of certain IR services in Medicare, such as image-guided decompression of the spine, epidural steroid injections and percutaneous vertebral augmentation.
Cook Medical hopes new iMRI division could be ‘game changer’ for interventional radiology
The Bloomington, Indiana-based vendor is betting big on MRI's use in image-guided care, touting its ability to cut radiation exposure while bolstering precision.

Private equity-backed cardiology group acquires Arizona practice with 4 locations

Florida-based Cardiovascular Associates of America has expanded its roster to include a team of 14 cardiologists and advanced practitioners in Arizona.

Walmart’s experiment offering imaging at its superstores fails as retailer closes all clinics

"The challenging reimbursement environment and escalating operating costs create a lack of profitability that make the care business unsustainable," the retailer said in an announcement.

healthcare workers moonlighting to make ends meet

Radiologist shortage leaves patients facing imaging delays at upward of 2 weeks in 1 state

Numerous hospitals are grappling with unfilled positions and exam backlogs, Michigan Hospital Association CEO Brian Peters told the Detroit News.

Best and worst states for nurses 2024

Comparing all 50 states on 20 metrics of job satisfaction for nurses, WalletHub has landed on a familiar favorite for the top spot.

Hologic purchases competitor for $310M

Hologic has agreed to buy Endomag, a privately held breast cancer surgery company in the U.K.

Walmart Health closing all locations, ending telehealth services

All 51 of Walmart’s care centers are closing; however, they will remain open as patients are transitioned to other providers.

Appeals court revives suit alleging radiology practice used nonmedical-grade monitors to submit $6M in false claims

The case dates to June 2019 when whistleblower and Arizona IT executive Eric Stenson first filed suit against Tucson-based Radiology Limited.

Hologic to acquire rival breast care company for $310M—plus 2 more radiology vendor M&A deals

In other news, West Physics Consulting is acquiring part of Tricord Inc., while radiology appointment scheduling firm CCD Health was recently sold.

Economics

MGMA warns of government overreach in the proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

Median medical school debt among radiology-bound graduates is $200,000

3 key questions about private equity’s impact on radiology

House lawmakers criticize Medicare pay model targeting ‘wasteful’ interventional radiology services

Cook Medical hopes new iMRI division could be ‘game changer’ for interventional radiology