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.

Texas cardiologist to pay $1.2M for allegedly prescribing opioids to himself
The interventional cardiologist was accused of prescribing a variety of drugs to his family and friends, but then picking them up himself for his own personal use. This settlement officially resolves those allegations.
FDA clears new RadNet solution that allows techs to remotely control scanners
TechLive is a remote-scanning tool enabling centralized operation and supervision of MR, CT, PET/CT and ultrasound procedures.
Opportunistic AI screening for osteoporosis via chest X-ray is cost-effective, feasible
Researchers found clear benefit based on their modeling study while highlighting the need for real-world investigations to further enhance the accuracy of their estimates.
Radiologists opt out of $2.8B Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement to pursue own litigation
Plaintiffs in the complaint include Radiology Partners and its affiliates, the Arkansas-based Highlands Oncology Group and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians.
FTC challenges ‘anticompetitive’ TAVR acquisition
The FTC is working to stop Edwards Lifesciences from completing its acquisition of JenaValve. Edwards, however, is not backing down.

Private equity firm acquiring diagnostic imaging provider for $658M

Affinity Equity Partners is buying 30-year-old Lumus Imaging, which employs over 2,000 imaging experts and support staff across 150 care sites.

The FreeClimb 70 reperfusion system with Tenzing 7 delivery catheter. Image courtesy of Route 92 Medical.

Stroke specialists raise another $50M thanks to late investment from Novo Holdings

California-based Route 92 Medical previously announced a funding round worth more than $31 million in November. Now, however, a massive addition from Novo Holdings makes the round worth closer to $82 million.

Erin R. Stevens, CNMT, NCT, director of nuclear medicine at Oregon Heart Center, said training physicians for what is needed in cardiac PET documentation is key for preventing issues with prior authorizations. ASNC photo

Good documentation is the key to cardiac PET prior authorizations

Knowing what, exactly, is needed in cardiac PET documentation is one of the best ways to limit prior authorization issues.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Most recalled cardiovascular devices gained FDA approval with little to no clinical evidence

Why are so many cardiovascular devices involved in Class I recalls? One possible reason could be the large number of devices hitting the market without undergoing much premarket clinical testing.

Imaging agent developer Telix to buy RLS radiopharmaceutical network for up to $250M

RLS operates America’s only Joint Commission-accredited radiopharmacy network, with 31 locations covering over 85% of the U.S. population.

healthcare surprise billing statement payment

60% of radiologists and other docs surveyed say staff is devoting more time to billing compliance

Meanwhile, about two-thirds of physicians said staff hours devoted to processing prior authorizations had also risen in the past five years.

Atrium Health forgives patient debts, withdraws liens on 11,500 homes

The nonprofit hospital system stopped suing patients in 2022 and called debt cancellation the “next logical step.”

FTC sues PBMs and GPOs for insulin price collusion

In a statement announcing its lawsuit, the FTC said Caremark, Optum RX and Express Scripts benefit from manufacturer rebates and ignore lower-costing drugs as a way to artificially increase prices.

Economics

Texas cardiologist to pay $1.2M for allegedly prescribing opioids to himself

FDA clears new RadNet solution that allows techs to remotely control scanners

Opportunistic AI screening for osteoporosis via chest X-ray is cost-effective, feasible

Radiologists opt out of $2.8B Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement to pursue own litigation

FTC challenges ‘anticompetitive’ TAVR acquisition