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.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sign.

Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services

A proposal for the massive restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services ends funding to programs associated with chronic disease management, lead safety, and Head Start. However, HHS is adding a new department to focus on understanding the cause of long-term illness. 

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RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition

RadNet provides 1.9M mammograms per year in the U.S., and adding iCAD’s installed customer base would boost the number of impacted exams to 10M. 

Video of Erik Rockswold explaining the administrative burdens of the MIPS program.

Radiology groups face hardships under the Medicare MIPS program

Erik Rockswold, director research and quality, Rayus Radiology, explains the administrative burdens radiology groups experience for little return from the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.  

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Interventional radiologists ‘markedly’ increase billing for nonprocedural work, despite drop in overall doc count

"These findings underscore IR’s accelerating transition toward comprehensive patient care, with significant implications for training, practice management, and the specialty’s role within the broader healthcare landscape," experts write. 

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Radiologists call for new billing codes to reward work outside of interpreting images

Previous studies have shown rads can spend upward of 60% of workhours on such duties, including curbside consults and multidisciplinary meetings. 

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Radiology practice reaches in-network agreement with UnitedHealthcare 9 months after terminating contract

Arizona-based Southwest Diagnostic Imaging shared the breakthrough Monday, restoring access for patients covered by UHC’s commercial and Medicare Advantage plans effective May 1. 

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Radiology rises to the No. 2 highest paid specialty, surpassing cardiology and plastic surgery: Medscape

Full-time U.S. radiologists take home about $520,000, a figure that includes base salary, incentive bonuses and other income such as profit-sharing contributions. 

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Hundreds of radiology practice locations use medical credit cards to secure quicker patient payments

The trend raises questions about the burdens being placed on a potentially vulnerable population, experts write in JAMA Health Forum.