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.

Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs
The American Nurses Association is warning that eliminating support for the training and research offered by the National Institute of Nursing Research could be devastating to the public, as many programs support specialties such as maternal and mental health.
Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence
The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.
Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services
A proposal for the massive restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services ends funding to programs associated with chronic disease management, lead safety, and Head Start. However, HHS is adding a new department to focus on understanding the cause of long-term illness.
RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition
RadNet provides 1.9M mammograms per year in the U.S., and adding iCAD’s installed customer base would boost the number of impacted exams to 10M.
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.

Insurers eventually approve most denials, though payer-mandated changes may be compromising care

Across over 200 radiation therapy denials at a single institution, 98% eventually led to the delivery of RT with delays sometimes as long as 49 days.

artificial intelligence AI in healthcare

Industry Watcher’s Digest

Buzzworthy developments of the past few days.

Radiologists among top specialists with wealth over $5M. How are they spending it?

About 31% of radiologists surveyed said they have attained this level of income, placing the specialty in a tie for No. 2 with gastroenterology.

Biden administration proposes banning medical bills from credit reports

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also wants to stop credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, among other changes.

healthcare AI venture capital investments

US healthcare is flush with venture investments in AI: Silicon Valley Bank report

The past five years have been boom times for AI startups courting venture investors in healthcare, and the good times just keep rolling.

Congress reintroduces radiologist-supported bill aimed at curbing prior authorization

Over 370 organizations support the legislation including the American College of Radiology, Society of Interventional Radiology and the Association of Academic Radiology.

AMA wants insurers to be accountable when prior authorization harms patients

The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates this week approved two policies aimed at increasing insurer accountability and transparency amid an explosion of prior authorization requirements.

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Medical device company raises $104M to fund PFA research

Early research suggests Kardium's PFA system could give cardiologists a new tool for the fight against atrial fibrillation. The company plans to study its technology even more with this latest round of funding.

Economics

Proposed HHS budget would close NINR, cut nursing programs

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

Leaked HHS budget reveals 30% cuts, elimination of many core services

RadNet leaders discuss rationale behind blockbuster $103M iCAD AI acquisition

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