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.

Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs
The American Nurses Association is warning that eliminating support for the training and research offered by the National Institute of Nursing Research could be devastating to the public, as many programs support specialties such as maternal and mental health.
Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence
The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.
Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services
A proposal for the massive restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services ends funding to programs associated with chronic disease management, lead safety, and Head Start. However, HHS is adding a new department to focus on understanding the cause of long-term illness.
RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition
RadNet provides 1.9M mammograms per year in the U.S., and adding iCAD’s installed customer base would boost the number of impacted exams to 10M.
Interventional radiologists ‘markedly’ increase billing for nonprocedural work, despite drop in overall doc count
"These findings underscore IR’s accelerating transition toward comprehensive patient care, with significant implications for training, practice management, and the specialty’s role within the broader healthcare landscape," experts write.

UCSF unveils renovated imaging facility

The department of radiology and biomedical imaging at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) announced this week that the large expansion of one of its imaging facilities is now complete.

Why health systems must embrace the forthcoming CDS mandate

The Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) mandating the use of a clinical decision support (CDS) system when ordering advanced imaging tests could affect up to six million emergency department visits annually, according to estimates published in a Jan. 29 Radiology study. The law is set to go into effect in January 2020.

Radiologist arrested on multiple charges after routine traffic stop

A radiologist who operates a private practice in Florida was pulled over on Jan. 29 for a routine traffic stop and arrested on multiple charges, including the illegal possession of a handgun.

IBM, Aetna, healthcare companies to create blockchain network

IBM, Aetna, Anthem, Health Care Service Corporation and PNC Bank are working together to design and create a blockchain network to improve transparency and interoperability in the healthcare industry, the companies announced.

RSNA’s RadioGraphics journal looking for a new editor

Jeffrey S. Klein, MD, will be stepping down as editor of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)’s journal RadioGraphics. In the wake of the announcement, the journal is now looking for a new editor.

International companies leverage AI to boost disease awareness

Tencent, a Chinese multinational investment holding conglomerate, and Merck KGaA, a German-based pharmaceutical, life sciences and technology company, are collaborating to increase disease awareness and provide more accessible healthcare services via digital platforms in China by leveraging AI and big data.

Accuray, China Isotope and Radiation Corporation announce new joint venture

Accuray Asia Limited, a subsidiary of Sunnyvale, California-based Accuray, has entered into a joint venture with CNNC High Energy Equipment, a subsidiary of Tianjin, China-based China Isotope and Radiation Corporation (CIRC), to sell radiation oncology systems throughout China.

Providers can see a financial benefit from offering free lung cancer screenings

Providing free lung cancer screening with low-dose CT (LDCT) clearly helps patients, but it can also lead to financial benefits for healthcare providers, according to a study published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

Economics

Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services

RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition

Interventional radiologists ‘markedly’ increase billing for nonprocedural work, despite drop in overall doc count