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.

White House releases 2026 ‘skinny budget’ calling for $33B in cuts to HHS
The proposal would cut funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. However, no reduction was suggested for the Food and Drug Administration.
US Radiology Specialists to construct 12 ‘de novo’ outpatient imaging centers in 2025
Of the dozen new centers built this year, 5 are through hospital joint venture partnerships, US Radiology said, adding to its total of 183 centers in 13 states.
American College of Radiology urges rads to report supply chain issues
ACR’s request comes amid ongoing trade wars and new tariffs placed on imaging products.
Startup seeking to make MRI ‘10 times less expensive’ raises $17M
Paris, France-based Chipiron will use the Series A financing to build a prototype of its portable machine, hoping to launch clinical trials in 2026.
AHA warns ‘perfect storm’ threatens hospitals with rising costs, reimbursement cuts
In a new report, the AHA said strains from President Trump’s tariffs and struggles with Medicare Advantage plans are creating “financial headwinds” that could shake the economic stability of hospitals nationwide.

Better neuroimaging guidelines could save practices millions, research shows

In the study, MRI scans were responsible for 70% of neuroimaging spending, despite accounting for only 25% of completed exams.

Imaging industry advocate slams feds’ failure to address PET coverage gap in recent ruling

The Society for Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging expressed "strong opposition" following CMS' decision, arguing there is no evidence to support limiting pay for such scans.

Australian tech company opens new US office, eyes FDA approval for AI CAD solution

The company's flagship offering uses AI to evaluate 3D images of a patient's heart for signs of atherosclerotic plaque.

Artificial intelligence startup Viz.ai reaches unicorn status with $100M investment

Now valued at $1.2B, the San Francisco startup was co-founded by a neurosurgeon and offers a suite of solutions for diagnosing diseases from medical images.

CMS finalizes decision to limit coverage for controversial Alzheimer’s drug, related imaging

The agency has maintained the same pay restrictions in its final policy, only covering PET scans if required by a clinical trial protocol.

Use of unnecessary neuroimaging for patients with dizziness prevalent in outpatient settings

Quality improvement efforts have sought to address such low-value diagnostic testing in the ED, with little attention paid to ambulatory settings, experts wrote in JAMA.

American College of Radiology, patient advocacy groups urge feds to fix CTC coverage gap

ACR and others have submitted a formal national coverage determination request, asking the agency to address payment gaps for virtual colonoscopies.

District of Columbia DC congress capitol hill

CMS delays start of Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model yet again

The mandatory bundled payment initiative was slated to kick off Jan. 1, 2023, following numerous delays, but will now launch on a to-be-determined date.

Economics

White House releases 2026 ‘skinny budget’ calling for $33B in cuts to HHS

US Radiology Specialists to construct 12 ‘de novo’ outpatient imaging centers in 2025

American College of Radiology urges rads to report supply chain issues

Startup seeking to make MRI ‘10 times less expensive’ raises $17M

AHA warns ‘perfect storm’ threatens hospitals with rising costs, reimbursement cuts