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.

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact
The 940-page document passed the House of Representatives in a 218 to 214 vote, and now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk. It contains a 20% cut to federal Medicaid funding, something Trump said he opposes.
Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials
MGMA and others who are part of the “Regulatory Relief Coalition” are urging Congress to continue pushing forward with the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.
Provider pay increased by 4.9% across specialties in 2024, survey finds
A survey from the American Medical Group Association found that physicians and advanced care providers are making more money when compared to hours worked. However, the complications of inflation and the rising cost of care could eat into gains.
PFA market heats up as medtech companies announce new investments
While Kardium raised $250 million in an oversubscribed funding round, Field Medical raised $35 million. Both companies are focused on designing and developing new pulsed field ablation technologies to help treat challenging arrhythmias.
Senate bounces spending bill back to House with 2.5% Medicare rad pay fix
In addition, there are no restrictions on pass-through entity taxes (PTET), which “benefits independent physician practices,” one expert notes.

Two major U.S. health systems announce intent to merge

In the American Northwest and upper Midwest, a digitally progressive health system that operates 24 hospitals is moving to merge with one that specializes in rural care delivery and operates in 24 states and 10 countries.

Large swath of healthcare workforce likely to keep working past age 67

Almost half of individuals employed in healthcare expect to keep their noses to the grindstone into their late 60s if not beyond.

CMS will delay start of radiation oncology payment model until July

The American Society for Radiation Oncology said it is "pleased" and "thankful" the federal agency listened to the needs of physician practices.

CMS delays radiation oncology payment model following fierce opposition from physician community

The American College of Radiology had expressed "alarm" over a Jan. 1 launch date, concerned CMS was rushing the rollout and including too many small practices.

RadNet inks imaging center joint-venture partnership with hospital giant Adventist Health

The pact includes the Los Angeles-based imaging firm taking over management of the Nancy Reagan Breast Center in Simi Valley, California.

Lack of Medicare coverage for CT colonography dragging down screenings, with Black patients hit harder

The number of CTC exams plummets by an average of 6.9% per year of age after 65, researchers reported in JACR.

Siemens Healthineers clears key hurdle in $16.4B acquisition of cancer tech company Varian

Shareholders for the Palo Alto, California-based firm recently gave their "overwhelming" approval to the deal.

Outpatient care volumes bouncing back, albeit unevenly

Weekly visits to some specialty practices have bounced back from the COVID swoon and then some. For many of these winners, in-person care is coming back to life right alongside telehealth.

Economics

Massive spending bill passes final vote in Congress with Medicaid cuts intact

Doc groups say payer promises not enough to address care denials

Provider pay increased by 4.9% across specialties in 2024, survey finds

PFA market heats up as medtech companies announce new investments

Senate bounces spending bill back to House with 2.5% Medicare rad pay fix