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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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Medicare instructs contractors to begin covering CT colorectal cancer screening

CMS emphasized that all coinsurance and deductibles should be waived for the exam, noting that MACs have until July 1 to comply with the change.

Rural America lost 3,300 medical practices in five years, report shows

A data analysis from the Physicians Advocacy Institute and Avalere Health found corporate buyouts are leaving patients in low-population areas with fewer options, as doctors are opting to go elsewhere.

FTC halts case against PBMs, citing lack of commissioners

The FTC has back-burnered its price collusion case against CVS Caremark, Optum Rx and Express Scripts after significant staff departures at the agency left it uncertain how to proceed.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Quality of care for heart patients does not improve in first year of ACO participation

Researchers tracked patient outcomes through the use of 15 performance measures related to hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Boston Scientific finalizes Bolt Medical acquisition as FDA clears company’s IVL technology

Boston Scientific hopes to officially launch its new IVL system in the first half of 2026.

Radiology practice will pay $2.9M to settle allegations it falsified PPP loan documents

Fairfax Radiological Consultants, located in the D.C. metro area, had employed over 500 individuals as of 2019, but by April 2020, its roster was down to fewer than 100, the DOJ note.

artificial intelligence AI in government

Imaging industry lobbying group ‘disappointed’ with White House’s latest round of tariffs

AdvaMed—which represents manufacturers including Canon, GE HealthCare, Philips and Siemens Healthineers—is pushing for an imaging exemption.

Heart Rhythm Advocates (HRA), the political advocacy wing of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS).

Heart Rhythm Society legislative advocacy group raising funds for electrophysiology

This week, Heart Rhythm Advocates announced its establishment and called on cardiologists and EPs to support its efforts with membership and joining committees to guide efforts.

Economics

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

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

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

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

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