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.

Anthem defends controversial policy penalizing hospitals who use out-of-network radiologists
Rads and other physicians have roundly criticized the change, labeling the policy as “deeply flawed and operationally unworkable.”
New York invests over $309M in statewide health projects, including $33M for Epic integration
In total, 22 facilities will benefit from the money, provided by the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program. Projects include cybersecurity upgrades and telehealth implementation, in addition to EHR upgrades.
Cardiology needs to evolve in the face of employment trends
Cardiology has largely shifted to hospital-employed models, driven by reimbursement compression and evolving physician priorities. This has created challenges as well as opportunities.
House GOP slaps down ACA subsidies as ‘Lower Health Care Premiums Act’ moves to Senate
A Hail Mary attempt by a bipartisan group to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits failed. The new bill contains some reforms, including new reporting requirements for PBMs and support for associated health plans. It now faces the Senate.
Radiology dominates FDA-cleared AI, but reimbursement lags far behind
As of January 2026, there will only be two CPT category 1 payment codes for newer AI, despite there being hundreds of FDA-cleared medical imaging algorithms.

insurance insurer payment claim denial reimbursement prior authorization

Physicians want Medicare Advantage plans to stop auto-denying imaging services

Payers have reportedly used artificial intelligence algorithms to deny routine requests for PET imaging, instead steering patients to CCTA in some cases.

Ultrasound-maker Butterfly Network seeks to raise $76M through public stock offering

Based in Burlington, Massachusetts, the company offers a handheld, single-probe, whole-body scanner for under $4,000.

Musk’s DOGE granted access to CMS records in search of ‘big money fraud’

The pseudo-government organization led by billionaire Elon Musk has been given read-only access to payment, contract and staffing records at the agency.

money court scale of justice ruling legal settlement

Oklahoma cardiologist and his clinic pay $270K to settle whistleblower lawsuit

A Tulsa-based cardiology clinic was accused of submitting false claims for E&M services over a period of several years.

Radiology Partners affiliate ARA Diagnostic Imaging reaches in-network deal with UnitedHealthcare

The country's largest commercial insurer knocked the Austin, Texas, practice out of network in April 2023, after it had reportedly sought a 34% price hike over five years.

Imaging lobbying group wants medical devices exempt from Trump tariffs

The White House announced the action Feb. 1, implementing a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% for products from China.

Radiology department launches ‘financially viable’ 2nd-opinion service, ditches ‘curbside consults’

Texas Children’s Hospital experts detailed their efforts Jan. 30 in the journal Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology.

Hospital giant Intermountain continues expanding homegrown outpatient imaging center chain

Tellica Imaging recently rolled out its 10th location, with the latest in Spanish Fork, Utah, its seventh outpost in Intermountain's home state.

Economics

Anthem defends controversial policy penalizing hospitals who use out-of-network radiologists

New York invests over $309M in statewide health projects, including $33M for Epic integration

Cardiology needs to evolve in the face of employment trends

House GOP slaps down ACA subsidies as ‘Lower Health Care Premiums Act’ moves to Senate

Radiology dominates FDA-cleared AI, but reimbursement lags far behind