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.

Duke Health, Aetna reach agreement to keep members in-network
The new contract was signed just ahead of the Oct. 20 deadline. The insurer and academic health system were in dispute over reimbursement rates. The exact terms of the new multi-year agreement are unknown.
ACC and AHA outline calculation of cost-effectiveness in clinical practice guidelines
Healthcare's cost-conscious environment prompted the ACC and AHA to develop a statement on the value methodology to be used when creating clinical practice guidelines.
Emergency departments’ use of CT imaging has increased substantially since 2013
This uptick was attributed to more scans being administered per ED visit, rather than a rise in overall patient volumes, an analysis of Medicare data found.
SCAI outlines broken Medicaid reimbursement model for congenital heart disease
SCAI says many children and adults living with congenital heart disease are being left behind by a payment system that does not adequately value their care.
Department of Commerce launches investigation into imaging device imports, with potential for new tariffs
Authorities are seeking to determine the impact on national security of importing CT scanners, MRI machines, X-ray apparatuses and other radiologic equipment.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech hit with permanent injunction as fallout over antitrust lawsuit continues

Johnson & Johnson MedTech was already ordered to pay $442.2 million in damages for withholding clinical support to healthcare providers. Now the company has been hit with a permanent injunction designed to stop it from being a repeat offender.

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.

Anders Gilberg, MGA, senior vice president, government affairs at Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) explained the need to renew the Medicare geographic pay adjustments in rural areas to make payments more competitive than urban areas. He said this is vital to help retain physicians in rural areas who otherwise could find higher paying jobs in larger cities.

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.”

court judge gavel business man bankruptcy lawsuit

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.

Radiology provider Akumin touts launch of its first movable PET/CT imaging centers

The Plantation, Florida, company first announced the initiative at RSNA 2024, offering clients new “relocatable and expandable” centers to be deployed across the U.S.

Private equity-backed Solis Mammography opens 3 new locations

The breast imaging group is launching two locations in Texas and marking its first foray into the Raleigh metro area, with more on the way in North Carolina.

Economics

Duke Health, Aetna reach agreement to keep members in-network

ACC and AHA outline calculation of cost-effectiveness in clinical practice guidelines

Emergency departments’ use of CT imaging has increased substantially since 2013

SCAI outlines broken Medicaid reimbursement model for congenital heart disease

Department of Commerce launches investigation into imaging device imports, with potential for new tariffs