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.

New York cardiologist headed to prison—DOJ says he paid for referrals, performed unneeded procedures
"Today’s sentence sends a deterrent message to doctors and the healthcare industry," according to a DOJ statement. "If you abuse patient trust for profit, you will face justice."
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.

Notable regulatory approvals of emerging technologies over the past 30 days

Along with AI in its various iterations, the list may include virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, robotics and other innovative technologies changing healthcare delivery.

Practices push for Provider Relief Fund extension to grapple with ‘laborious’ requirements, COVID surge

Radiologists who collected such assistance between April-June, 2020, must report on their use of the funds by Sept. 30.

Hospitals, payers slippery when ‘transparent’

Why is it common for patients with no coverage at all to pay much lower prices than their insured peers—or for those with high-deductible plans to pay out of pocket even after reaching the high deductible?

Insurer Anthem caves to radiologist pressure, lifting ‘profoundly negative’ imaging restriction

The Indianapolis-based payer had placed guardrails around reimbursement for some hospital-based imaging, but relented after "thoughtful" discussions with radvocates.

venture capital corporate suit business corporatization

Researchers review 'concerning' trend in medical journals, highlight its place in cardiology

Conflicts of interest and undisclosed financial associations may pose a problem for many medical journals.

3 key takeaways from a new study on healthcare spending by race and ethnicity

“Measuring healthcare spending by race and ethnicity is important for understanding patterns in utilization and treatment,” researchers said.

FibroGen ‘deeply disappointed’ after FDA rejects new treatment for CKD-related anemia

The FDA has requested additional data before approving roxadustat.

Change Healthcare, UnitedHealth ink pact with DOJ pushing back proposed merger’s timeline

The two companies detailed their new “timing agreement” with the Department of Justice in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Economics

New York cardiologist headed to prison—DOJ says he paid for referrals, performed unneeded procedures

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