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.

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact
The 940-page document passed the House of Representatives in a 218 to 214 vote, and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. It contains a 20% cut to federal Medicaid funding, something Trump said he opposes.
Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials
MGMA and others who are part of the “Regulatory Relief Coalition” are urging Congress to continue pushing forward with the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
Provider pay increased by 4.9% across specialties in 2024, survey finds
A survey from the American Medical Group Association found that physicians and advanced care providers are making more money when compared to hours worked. However, the complications of inflation and the rising cost of care could eat into gains.
PFA market heats up as medtech companies announce new investments
While Kardium raised $250 million in an oversubscribed funding round, Field Medical raised $35 million. Both companies are focused on designing and developing new pulsed field ablation technologies to help treat challenging arrhythmias.
Senate bounces spending bill back to House with 2.5% Medicare rad pay fix
In addition, there are no restrictions on pass-through entity taxes (PTET), which “benefits independent physician practices,” one expert notes.

Another itemized set of actions Washington could take to better regulate medical AI

Two more close AI observers are urging Congress to equip the FDA for tighter regulation of medical algorithms.

American College of Radiology proposes 5 imaging-related CPT codes for re-evaluation

The college said the codes are related to X-ray contrast of the knee and ultrasound guidance, among others.

Rayus Radiology’s purchase of imaging center chain results in alliance with Rad Partners

Backed by private equity firm Wellspring Capital, Rayus is acquiring the Diagnostic Centers of America and its eight locations in Florida.

Radiology provider Akumin says it will miss key financial filing deadline amid default concerns

The company recently canceled its Q2 earnings call and had hoped to file financials by Oct. 15, but officials said Tuesday that it's not going to happen.

Major academic health system reveals plans for dedicated AI department

U.S. healthcare will soon welcome the country’s first hospital department focused on applying AI to biomedical research and clinical medicine

5 ways US regulators could go further to beat back bias in medical AI

FDA could do more to police regulated products for algorithmic biases that may affect clinical outcomes in vulnerable subpopulations.

Radiology provider Akumin signs $2.15M contract with Volpara—vendor’s largest deal to date

Under a five-year pact, the New Zealand-based firm will install patient-tracking software across a network of imaging centers spanning 11 states.

Bigger healthcare mergers are on the horizon

Not much M&A activity has occurred in healthcare during the third quarter of 2021, but a few recently announced deals are big in value.

Economics

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact

Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials

Provider pay increased by 4.9% across specialties in 2024, survey finds

PFA market heats up as medtech companies announce new investments

Senate bounces spending bill back to House with 2.5% Medicare rad pay fix