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.

Hospital system no longer accepting radiology patients with out-of-network health plans
Summa Health said the change will take effect Sept. 1, with the two-hospital network ceasing scheduling of appointments for this consumer segment
Radiology provider Akumin touts launch of its first movable PET/CT imaging centers
The Plantation, Florida, company first announced the initiative at RSNA 2024, offering clients new “relocatable and expandable” centers to be deployed across the U.S.
Private equity-backed Solis Mammography opens 3 new locations
The breast imaging group is launching two locations in Texas and marking its first foray into the Raleigh metro area, with more on the way in North Carolina.
Imaging-guided surgery startup Method AI raises $20M in Series A financing
Founded in 2021 as a spinoff of the Cleveland Clinic, its platform leverages continuous 3D ultrasound and AI-generated surgical plans to guide robotic-assisted procedures.
MGMA raises alarm over 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, warns of access crisis
Many make federal reimbursement plans into an issue about high-paid specialists complaining about pay cuts, but these fees also compensate nurses, technicians, support staff and administrators. Payment keeps the doors of brick-and-mortar medical practices open, MGMA warns.

Additional spinal imaging prior to total hip replacement proves cost-effective long term

The extra work and costs upfront will spare patients physical and financial pain down the line, experts explained recently.

Philips enters agreement to acquire Cardiologs

Cardiologs, known for its AI- and cloud-based cardiac solutions, will soon be a part of the Philips family.

CMS to require COVID-19 vaccination at care facilities that accept Medicare, Medicaid by Jan. 4

Officials said the requirement applies to some 76,000 facilities employing more than 17 million healthcare workers across the U.S.

Change Healthcare, UnitedHealth honor DOJ info request, amend timing of merger

Under the Department of Justice pact, the two data giants agreed not to consummate the merger before Feb. 22, 2022.

CMS finalizes 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule—payments to cardiologists take a hit

Also, penalties for failing to comply with the Appropriate Use Criteria program have been delayed yet again.

CMS raising rate for outpatient lung cancer screening by more than 37% in final rule

The update is part of a slew of changes in the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System final rule.

Top-cited interventional radiology studies average $57K in undisclosed payments

Among the 396 authors of the top 100 most-referenced publications, 97% neglected to disclose at least one active financial relationship, according to a new analysis.

UnitedHealthcare, hospital system reach agreement after spat over imaging costs 2-3 times local average

UHC cut Montefiore out of network in January, calling it “New York City’s most expensive health system," but plans to restore access Dec. 1.

Economics

Hospital system no longer accepting radiology patients with out-of-network health plans

Radiology provider Akumin touts launch of its first movable PET/CT imaging centers

Private equity-backed Solis Mammography opens 3 new locations

Imaging-guided surgery startup Method AI raises $20M in Series A financing

MGMA raises alarm over 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, warns of access crisis