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.

Duke Health, Aetna reach agreement to keep members in-network
The new contract was signed just ahead of the Oct. 20 deadline. The insurer and academic health system were in dispute over reimbursement rates. The exact terms of the new multi-year agreement are unknown.
ACC and AHA outline calculation of cost-effectiveness in clinical practice guidelines
Healthcare's cost-conscious environment prompted the ACC and AHA to develop a statement on the value methodology to be used when creating clinical practice guidelines.
Emergency departments’ use of CT imaging has increased substantially since 2013
This uptick was attributed to more scans being administered per ED visit, rather than a rise in overall patient volumes, an analysis of Medicare data found.
SCAI outlines broken Medicaid reimbursement model for congenital heart disease
SCAI says many children and adults living with congenital heart disease are being left behind by a payment system that does not adequately value their care.
Department of Commerce launches investigation into imaging device imports, with potential for new tariffs
Authorities are seeking to determine the impact on national security of importing CT scanners, MRI machines, X-ray apparatuses and other radiologic equipment.

ASNC, ACC ask US government not to tariff radiopharmaceuticals

The two groups stressed that tariffs would likely impact patient care.

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.

bipartisan house task force on artificial intelligence

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.

Optum UnitedHealthcare UnitedHealth Group HQ

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.

Senator introduces bill to boost radiologist pay in Medicare program

The lawmaker is proposing the ‘‘Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025," mirroring Rep. Murphy's House bill.

Covera Health to vet prostate MRI providers for ‘Radiology Centers of Excellence’

The startup has partnered with employers such as Walmart, providers and health plans (including BCBS Michigan) to steer patients to top imaging centers.

Economics

Duke Health, Aetna reach agreement to keep members in-network

ACC and AHA outline calculation of cost-effectiveness in clinical practice guidelines

Emergency departments’ use of CT imaging has increased substantially since 2013

SCAI outlines broken Medicaid reimbursement model for congenital heart disease

Department of Commerce launches investigation into imaging device imports, with potential for new tariffs