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.

RadNet records rare decrease in imaging procedural volumes
This marks the first time since the pandemic of 2020 that RadNet has seen a same-center decrease in imaging use.
Senators introduce bipartisan bill to revive shelved imaging appropriate-use criteria program
Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Catherine Cortez Masto are proposing the Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act, which would eliminate real-time reporting requirements in AUC.
Private equity firm Stonepeak closing in on $1.9B purchase of radiology network
The New York investment group, which also owns Akumin, is reportedly "inches" from acquiring Australia's largest diagnostic imaging provider.
UnitedHealth, Amedisys offer divestitures as $3.3B merger advances
Pennant and BrightSpring Health Services have agreed to purchase some healthcare businesses from UnitedHealth and Amedisys. However, it remains unclear whether this will be enough for the DOJ to drop its lawsuit blocking the merger.
Tariffs will have a significant impact on the nuclear imaging supply chain in the US
"Domestic radiopharmaceutical suppliers, who receive isotopes from abroad, would be impacted by price changes and uncertainty caused by additional tariffs,” SNMMI President Cathy Cutler, PhD, wrote in a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce this week.

Walmart may be scaling back ambitious plans to expand into imaging and other healthcare services

The Arkansas-based retail giant had hoped to open 4,000 clinics by 2029, offering x-rays and diagnostics, but appears to be pumping the brakes.

Cigna reverses course, expands hospital-based imaging access to pediatric patients

The American College of Radiology and Society of Pediatric Radiology both said the move will have a positive impact on the quality and safety of care.

From volume ups and downs to site-neutral payment, 2021’s top 11 radiology trends to watch

Alliance Healthcare Radiology recently detailed its biggest developments to follow in the specialty, covering mobile imaging, partnerships, AI and workplace culture.

Working group debuts standard for AI in healthcare trustworthiness

Several issues with AI can “make people suspicious” of the technology when applied to healthcare, according to the Consumer Technology Association.

Hospitals face long recovery from COVID-19 financial hits

Hospitals and health systems are facing an uphill battle for the foreseeable future when it comes to getting their finances back on track from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new findings from Kaufman Hall.

Oscar Health to launch IPO

Oscar Health, the technology-based health insurer co-founded by Josh Kushner, is preparing to launch an initial public offering.

Radiology practice bolsters bottom line by pushing benefits specialists to the forefront

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia believes more patients are choosing their imaging services because of recent cost transparency efforts.

Siemens scores regulatory approval for $16.4B acquisition of Varian Medical Systems

The Germany-based imaging giant is promising its equipment will work with rival's products in exchange for the determination, officials announced.

Economics

RadNet records rare decrease in imaging procedural volumes

Senators introduce bipartisan bill to revive shelved imaging appropriate-use criteria program

Private equity firm Stonepeak closing in on $1.9B purchase of radiology network

UnitedHealth, Amedisys offer divestitures as $3.3B merger advances

Tariffs will have a significant impact on the nuclear imaging supply chain in the US