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.

Under-reimbursement keeping radiologists from using key imaging modality, docs warn CMS
Radiologists and other physicians recently wrote to Administrator Mehmet Oz, MD, asking for changes related to contrast-enhanced ultrasound.
Looming end of Medicare rural pay adjustment raises concerns about doctor shortages
Anders Gilberg, senior vice president of government affairs at the Medical Group Management Association, explains why Congress needs to renew the Medicare geographic pay adjustments in rural areas—to make payments competitive with urban areas and help retain physicians in those communities.
New $6B Eversana looks to bypass PBMs and lower drug prices
A merger between Eversana and Waltz Health will create a new entity that CEO Mark Thierer says will upend the “existing oligopoly that I helped build.”
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.

Hospitals in the crosshairs of bad actors brandishing ransomware

The cybersecurity arm of the Department of Homeland Security is urging hospitals and other healthcare providers to brace for ransomware attacks during the present surge of COVID-19 cases.

HHS officially delays compliance dates for information-blocking rules

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT said the decision was made to give healthcare organizations more flexibility as they respond to the ongoing pandemic.

81% of practices say revenues still short of pre-pandemic levels, with some on ‘brink’

On average, doc groups are recording a roughly 32% drop in revenue since the pandemic started, according to a new survey.

Notable FDA approvals of AI* in medical devices: October 2020

*The list also includes virtual reality, augmented reality and 3D printing. Links lead to announcements as sent by the companies.

ACR addresses anxiety around radiology report access under new information-blocking rules

The American College of Radiology said it has been fielding many similar inquries on whether standard communication practices may violate federal interoperability regulations.

RadNet expands into new state with hospital joint venture, acquisition of 8 imaging centers

Under the deal, the partners will develop a network of new locations through a blend of additional purchases and build-outs.

Healthcare AI vendors under the KLAS spotlight

In baseball terms—this is a World Series week, after all—Jvion batted a cool .533.

FDA clears Siemens’ intelligent radiography system, plus more radiology vendor news

Also, Dunlee scores its own nod from the Food and Drug Administration, and a new interoperability accomplishment in Denmark.

Economics

Under-reimbursement keeping radiologists from using key imaging modality, docs warn CMS

Looming end of Medicare rural pay adjustment raises concerns about doctor shortages

New $6B Eversana looks to bypass PBMs and lower drug prices

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