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.

Q&A: The role of employers in achieving healthcare price transparency
An exclusive interview with Hal Andrews, President and CEO of Trilliant Health, on the topic of price transparency and how regulators and companies can contain costs for patients.
Medtronic’s diabetes spin-off gets a name, kicking off ‘new and exciting chapter’
The new name will be familiar to anyone who knows the history of Medtronic's diabetes business.
UnitedHealthcare caves to pressure, exempting some imaging services from cost-cutting program
The country’s largest insurer launched its Designated Diagnostic Provider program in 2022, steering beneficiaries to imaging centers that meet quality and efficiency requirements.
A new payer tactic: Using AI to curtail routine radiology claims, after imaging is already delivered
“Unlike [prior authorization], this model does not delay patient care and does not hold members liable to pay for unneeded exams,” writes radiologist Mark Hiatt, MD, MBA.
Smaller revenues, less growth: In US, tariffs may create headaches for $34.5B cardiovascular device market
“Without a more concrete and stable policy on these tariffs from the current American administration, it is likely that most manufacturers will be forced to continuously change their internal forecasts and production plans," one analyst said.

money cybersecurity ransomware health IT data breach hacker

CMS offers advance payment to physicians amid Change Healthcare ‘crisis’

Part B suppliers experiencing claims disruptions due to the cyberattack can apply to the agency for potential relief.

An Illinois appellate judge upheld a pervious trial victory that cleared and central Illinois cardiologist Amit Dande, MD, and Prairie Cardiovascular Consults LLP of alleged misdiagnosis of the severity of a patient's heart condition that led to his death prior to a schedule percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Radiologist prevails in malpractice case alleging ultrasound misread led to patient’s infertility

Defense attorneys say the case boils down to challenges reading the exam, which was “complex with subtle findings that the experts simply interpreted differently.”

Medicare data stethoscope healthcare trends graphs finance financials

ACC, SCAI say new funding bill did not do enough to limit Medicare reimbursement cuts to cardiology services

President Joe Biden signed a funding bill worth $460 billion on March 9, but it only included partial relief for cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and other cardiology professionals.

Change Healthcare expects to restore claims processing network by March 18

The American Medical Association issued a response, noting the “significant financial disruption for physician practices” during the weeks-long shutdown.

Congress partially scales back radiologist Medicare pay cut

President Biden signed the spending bill into law March 9, averting a government shutdown, following its passage in the Senate.

Mark Cuban to CEOs: ‘If you’re using a Big 3 pharmacy benefits manager, you are getting ripped off. Period. End of story.’

The White House held a roundtable discussion on lowering healthcare costs last week. Fortune magazine followed up with one of the panelists, business mogul and Cost Plus Drugs cofounder Mark Cuban.

Transparency report called ‘irresponsible,’ ‘reckless’

Have hospitals really taken a step backward along their march toward price transparency? Or is the watchdog outfit making the claim playing fast and loose with the facts?

A majority of U.S. cardiologists would accept a cut in pay to achieve a significantly better work-life balance.

Most cardiologists would take a lower salary for a better work-life balance

According to the same report, 43% of cardiologists with children said they feel conflicted about not spending enough time at home.

Economics

Q&A: The role of employers in achieving healthcare price transparency

Medtronic’s diabetes spin-off gets a name, kicking off ‘new and exciting chapter’

UnitedHealthcare caves to pressure, exempting some imaging services from cost-cutting program

A new payer tactic: Using AI to curtail routine radiology claims, after imaging is already delivered

Smaller revenues, less growth: In US, tariffs may create headaches for $34.5B cardiovascular device market