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.

Imaging manufacturer pays $18M to settle whistleblower suit; GE’s FDA win, plus more vendor news

Also, Carestream launches its own talk show, Ambra Health expands its partnership with Rad-Aid and more marketplace moves.

Planned Medicare cuts will ‘cripple specialty providers,’ radiology groups warn congressional leaders

Imaging groups are continuing their full-court press on the House and Senate, seeking to avert tens of millions in payment reductions slated for Jan. 1.

Industry least fretful over work-from-home cyberthreats: Healthcare

Compared with other major industries, healthcare believes itself to be at significantly lower risk for data breaches now than when the COVID crisis began prompting employers to let staff work from home.

Digital health investors plunked down $10.3B in 2020’s first three quarters

In spite of the troubles 2020 has brought to the healthcare economy, the first nine months of the year saw digital health companies break all previous records for attracting venture capital.

The pandemic’s toll: Total deaths, death from heart disease both up in the US

Total death counts in the United States are typically consistent from one year to the next, the authors noted—but not in 2020.

Patient leakage front and center for almost all health execs

Judging by a random sample of 138 healthcare executives, nearly every denizen of every hospital or health-system C-suite in the U.S. believes patient leakage to be a concern requiring immediate attention.

Lark Health raises $55M to expand AI partnerships, reach more patients

The company’s work with Anthem-affiliated health plans, in particular, is expected to prosper as a result of this additional funding.

American College of Radiology proposes two new imaging-related CPT codes

If approved by the American Medical Association's editorial panel, one revision could go into effect as soon as July 1.

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