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.

CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients
After an official request from Edwards Lifesciences, CMS is rethinking its coverage policy for the use of TAVR to treat asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The agency is accepting public comments on this topic until Jan. 14.
Venture capital investors have poured over $11B into radiology since 2000
The most funded categories across the specialty included medical devices ($3.2B), AI software ($2.5B), and biotechnology ($2.1B).
Lumexa Imaging no longer controlled by private equity following IPO
“We view this as meaningfully credit positive for its financial policy because private equity investors tend to favor high leverage to enhance their returns,” S&P notes.
Interventional radiology group inks 3 more urology practice partnerships across 3 states
IR Centers, a platform company dedicated to offering minimally invasive procedures in diverse outpatient settings, is teaming with doc groups in Alabama, Texas and Virginia.
California leads coalition of 20 states suing Trump over $100K H-1B visa policy
The plaintiffs argue that the administration has overstepped its authority and that only Congress can levy such hefty fees. As noted in the lawsuit, healthcare relies on skilled labor immigration to bring doctors, nurses and researchers into the country.

Falling US life expectancy driven by drug abuse, suicide and CVDs

Life expectancy in the U.S. is lagging far behind that of other developed nations, according to a review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association—a phenomenon driven by an increase in drug overdoses, suicides and organ system diseases like CVD.

Australian AI specialists raise nearly $20 million

Harrison.ai, a Sydney, Australia-based healthcare company focused on AI technologies, has raised $19.9 million (A$29 million) in funding.

Man dies of MI 6 weeks after cardiologist dismissed his symptoms as anxiety

The widow of a 48-year-old man was awarded $6.3 million this week after her husband, who’d been cleared of CVD by his cardiologist six weeks before his death, suffered a fatal heart attack while jogging.

Siemens receives FDA clearance for two new CT systems

Both are aimed at bolstering radiation therapy planning, the company announced on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

Middle-income countries shoulder the bulk of Europe’s CVD burden

A report published in the European Heart Journal Dec. 10 suggests middle-income countries in Europe suffer most heavily from CVD morbidity and mortality.

ACR concerned surprise medical billing plan would grant insurers too much sway

"Placing unfettered power in these occurrences in the hands of insurers would impact access to care that neither patients, providers or the government will be happy with," said CEO William Thorwarth, MD.

Philips, Paige announce new AI collaboration

Royal Philips and Paige, a New York-based healthcare startup, are working together to put AI in the hands of pathologists.

Agfa announces plans to sell its EHR line for more than $1B

Clinical healthcare software firm Dedalus has entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Agfa’s ORBIS EHR line and other related integrated-care products.

Economics

CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients

Venture capital investors have poured over $11B into radiology since 2000

Lumexa Imaging no longer controlled by private equity following IPO

Interventional radiology group inks 3 more urology practice partnerships across 3 states

California leads coalition of 20 states suing Trump over $100K H-1B visa policy