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.

Radiologist Radiology Money Dollar X-ray Scan Finance

Stark Law loophole allows ordering physicians to self-interpret hundreds of thousands of images each year

Experts believe their findings signal the need for potential policy reform in Washington to address perceived conflicts of interest.

Radiology provider MedQuest part of deal to acquire 18 imaging centers from 1 of nation’s largest orthopedic groups

OrthoCarolina is the seller, unloading locations across its home city of Charlotte and the Piedmont Triad region that includes Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point.

insurance insurer payment claim denial reimbursement prior authorization

Radiology-supported law change would tighten screws on prior authorization requests

The Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 is endorsed by 30 trade groups including the Society of Interventional Radiology and MGMA.

Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation seeks to bolster research funding for the specialty

During their annual meeting being held this week in Nashville, the society announced the launch of the SIR Foundation Endowment.

Unnecessary imaging wastes $12B a year and uses enough electricity to power a small town

Between 2017 and 2021, all inappropriate imaging generated upward of 129.2 kilotons per year, with CT and MRI accounting for the largest portion.

Bipartisan bill would allow radiologists and other physicians to own certain hospitals

The American Hospital Association announced its opposition March 27, contending docs will "inflate healthcare costs and drain essential resources."

300+ groups urge Senate GOP to reject Medicaid cuts

In an open letter, advocacy groups said the budget proposal passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would “shred our nation’s social safety net.”

Money court lawsuit judge ruling scales of justice

Radiology accounts for 16% of No Surprises Acts payment disputes, new data show

Imaging industry giant Rad Partners led the way, initiating 110,000 payment disputes in the first half of 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reports.

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