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.

Boston Scientific’s coronary DCB gains new Medicare reimbursement
The first coronary DCB to gain FDA approval just received an additional reimbursement that could improve patient access.
Medical imaging a heavy contributor to Medicare waste, study finds
The payment program spent $484 million on 15 different low-value imaging services, a figure that balloons to $584 million when factoring for out-of-pocket costs.
Imaging AI vendor earns nationwide UnitedHealthcare coverage, sets $1.3B value ahead of IPO
California-based Heartflow, which offers an AI software that assesses coronary CT angiography scans, hopes to raise over $200 million through the stock offering.
Private practice takes over Radiology Partners hospital contract
Effective immediately, Midstate Radiology Associates will deliver imaging reads at Windham Hospital, in Willimantic, Conn.
New number-crunching shows Medicare could save itself more than $2.5B a year by just saying ‘No’ to 5 low-value services
No single CMS strategy has proven an inarguable success at delivering significant cost savings while optimizing patient outcomes and minimizing clinical risks. Two researchers think they’ve found a way.

How sample sizes versus scan times affect data quality and radiology research overhead costs

New findings have the potential to significantly benefit the field of neuroscience and could help guide researchers in designing more cost-effective, fruitful studies of the brain.

Heartflow, a leader in AI-powered imaging evaluations, files for IPO

Heartflow, known for its AI-based CCTA evaluations, appears to be going public. The news follows years of momentum for the California-based company, including improved Medicare reimbursements for cardiac CT and a new Category I CPT code for its Plaque Analysis software.

Whole-body MRI ‘longevity’ firm hits 10,000 users, charging up to $19,000 for annual membership

Human Longevity is a luxury clinic that's part of a “lucrative and growing industry” focused on preventive care.

Medicare Advantage Part C clipboard payment

Two insurers dominate most Medicare Advantage markets, report finds

Over 97% of all counties in the U.S. see high or very high levels of consolidation in Medicare Advantage markets, with UnitedHealthcare and Humana owning the most plans nationwide.

Steward sues former CEO over alleged pilfering that contributed to bankruptcy

Former Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre, MD, and other executives are accused in a $1.4 billion legal filing of paying themselves hundreds of millions of dollars in bonuses, despite the health system being insolvent.

Patients who visit providers via telemedicine undergo significantly fewer imaging exams

Researchers with the Neiman Health Policy Institute recently investigated how COVID-related care site shifts impacted diagnostic radiology, sharing their findings in JACR.

Southern Indiana Radiological Associates

Health system buys full ownership of imaging center jointly held by pioneering radiology group

IU Health has purchased 100% control of the radiology facility located on Landmark Avenue in the community of Bloomington.

artificial intelligence money finance acquisition

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes CPT code, $1,000 payment amount for imaging AI software

CMS is suggesting such reimbursement for coronary plaque analysis software, offered by vendors Cleerly, Elucid and HeartFlow.

Economics

Boston Scientific’s coronary DCB gains new Medicare reimbursement

Medical imaging a heavy contributor to Medicare waste, study finds

Imaging AI vendor earns nationwide UnitedHealthcare coverage, sets $1.3B value ahead of IPO

Private practice takes over Radiology Partners hospital contract

New number-crunching shows Medicare could save itself more than $2.5B a year by just saying ‘No’ to 5 low-value services