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.

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.
Radiologists call for new billing codes to reward work outside of interpreting images
Previous studies have shown rads can spend upward of 60% of workhours on such duties, including curbside consults and multidisciplinary meetings.
Radiology practice reaches in-network agreement with UnitedHealthcare 9 months after terminating contract
Arizona-based Southwest Diagnostic Imaging shared the breakthrough Monday, restoring access for patients covered by UHC’s commercial and Medicare Advantage plans effective May 1.
Radiology rises to the No. 2 highest paid specialty, surpassing cardiology and plastic surgery: Medscape
Full-time U.S. radiologists take home about $520,000, a figure that includes base salary, incentive bonuses and other income such as profit-sharing contributions.
Hundreds of radiology practice locations use medical credit cards to secure quicker patient payments
The trend raises questions about the burdens being placed on a potentially vulnerable population, experts write in JAMA Health Forum.

Video of Dave Dixon explaining the impact of first FDA approval of a generic DOAC.

FDA clears first generic versions of rivaroxaban—what it means for patient care

Dave Dixon, PharmD, explored the short- and long-term impact of these approvals, noting that they could help reduce costs down the line.

Members of Congress introduce bill to reform radiation oncology reimbursement

Over 80 organizations support the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Payment Program Act, including the American College of Radiology and ASTRO.

Americans' mental, physical health in steady decline since COVID-19 pandemic

The numbers are the lowest seen by Gallup in 25 years, with the percentage of adults reporting their health as “excellent” dropping in both categories.

Healthcare AI newswatch: Ambient AI costs, healthcare AI holdouts, an 86-year-old AI innovator, more

Meet an 86-year-old IT entrepreneur who recently beefed up his AI skills in a challenging postgraduate program.

Radiology AI firm Gleamer expands into MRI with 2 acquisitions

The French company offers solutions across X-ray, mammography and CT, adding MRI to its portfolio by buying Pixyl and Caerus Medical.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) HQ

HHS employees offered two months of pay to quit their jobs

That’s in addition to the $25,000 buyout offer from the federal government. Employees have until Friday to resign.

prostate surgeon cancer PAE interventional

Giving ground to urology groups on key IR procedure is undermining the specialty, radiologist warns

Urologists are increasingly delivering prostate artery embolization in partnership with IRs, but Adam Lustig, MD, worries this is a slippery slope.

Vintage neon drug sign at the Walgreens pharmacy on Canal Street in downtown New Orleans.

Walgreens $10B private equity buyout financed by 83% debt

A filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reveals details on how Sycamore Partners intends to pay for the struggling pharmacy chain.

Economics

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

Radiologists call for new billing codes to reward work outside of interpreting images

Radiology practice reaches in-network agreement with UnitedHealthcare 9 months after terminating contract

Radiology rises to the No. 2 highest paid specialty, surpassing cardiology and plastic surgery: Medscape

Hundreds of radiology practice locations use medical credit cards to secure quicker patient payments