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.

Insurance industry boasts 11% reduction in prior authorizations since 2025 reform rollout
That equates to eliminating 6.5 million prior authorization barriers. The results come from a survey of major health plans conducted by AHIP and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
FTC warns Tennessee of coming price hikes if it rushes to remove restrictions on hospital chain
The state legislature is mulling over the passage of two bills: one that would eliminate Ballad’s status as a protected monopoly, and another that would remove the Certificate of Need, a barrier that forces healthcare entities to submit expansion proposals to regulators for approval. The issue, the FTC says, is related to timing.
Arizona cardiology practice paying $3.85M to resolve lawsuit after data breach
The 2023 incident potentially gave an attacker access to the names, addresses and Social Security numbers of thousands of heart patients.
White House asks for $16B in cuts to HHS, more money for war
In its proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, President Donald Trump’s administration is floating a 10% cut to federal government spending across the board with one notable exception: The Department of War. For military and defense, the White House is seeking an additional 44%.
Hospital sues cardiology practice for alleged breach of contract, ending years-long partnership
The cardiovascular care of thousands of Missouri patients is suddenly up in the air. The heart of the issue is a practice's alleged interest in opening up a new private equity-backed clinic.

UnitedHealthcare cutting radiology group pay rates in bid to preserve affordability

“Rapidly rising healthcare costs continue to be a top concern for members and their employers," the nation's largest commercial insurer wrote in a recent letter to an unidentified imaging group.

ASE leading push to revise CPT code for interventional echocardiography

The pressure is on for ASE and other societies to create a new CPT code for the use of interventional echocardiography during structural heart procedures.

Private equity firms to acquire Hologic for $18.3B

Blackstone and TPG have reached a definitive agreement to acquire the Marlborough, Massachusetts-based company for approximately $79 per share.

business partnership handshake merger acquisition M&A

RadNet inks AI partnership with large value-focused physician group

The Los Angeles-based imaging center operator is teaming with Desert Oasis Healthcare to offer RadNet’s Enhanced Breast Cancer Detection program.

United Regional Health Care System imaging center

Hospital breaks ground on $45M new imaging center

United Regional Health Care System recently announced the construction project’s kickoff, noting its desire to remain “responsive to the needs of our community.”

Radiologists 'deeply concerned' about further tariffs on medical imaging devices

Last month, the Department of Commerce launched an investigation into the importing of such items, seeking to determine the impact on national security.

Medicare halts claim processing, posing serious financial risk to radiology practices

“For radiology groups, where Medicare beneficiaries often comprise 30% or more of the patient mix, this delay in reimbursement threatens operational stability," the RBMA said Oct. 15.

Private equity-backed outpatient imaging provider enters California via USC partnership

Outpatient Imaging Affiliates has inked an agreement with Keck Medicine, providing revenue cycle and imaging center management services for a facility in Pasadena.

Economics

Insurance industry boasts 11% reduction in prior authorizations since 2025 reform rollout

FTC warns Tennessee of coming price hikes if it rushes to remove restrictions on hospital chain

Arizona cardiology practice paying $3.85M to resolve lawsuit after data breach

White House asks for $16B in cuts to HHS, more money for war

Hospital sues cardiology practice for alleged breach of contract, ending years-long partnership