Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies. 

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Radiology societies express ‘significant concern’ around proposed BlueCross BlueShield policy

BCBS last month suggested curtailing coverage for peripheral nerve stimulation devices, used to relieve pain, which drew ire from thousands of physicians. 

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Private equity’s ‘voracious’ acquisition of radiology practices is increasing imaging prices, study asserts

Such ownership changes were associated with an 8.2% price increase in radiology and statistically significant upticks across 8 of the 10 specialties examined. 

Medtronic has received FDA approval for its IN.PACT 018 Paclitaxel-Coated Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) Balloon Catheter

FDA says treating PAD with paclitaxel-coated devices does not increase mortality risk

After warning healthcare providers about a heightened risk of mortality back in 2019, the FDA has now updated its stance on the use of these devices. 

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FDA asked to investigate ‘eye-popping’ amount of caffeine in Logan Paul’s Prime energy drinks

Should an energy drink with more caffeine than five cans of soda be marketed to kids? Sen. Chunk Schumer shared his concerns in a new letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, a veteran cardiologist. 

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Big Pharma’s industry payments to diagnostic radiologists have risen sharply since 2019

Merk & Co. paid the largest amount to the specialty between 2017-2021, followed by Hologic and Pfizer, researchers wrote recently.  

Financial data showing growing revenue

Radiologists capture growing market share for key interventional procedure while cardiologists lose ground

Among Medicare beneficiaries, there was a marked drop in the delivery of percutaneous renal artery angioplasty, used to treat a narrowed artery, between 2010 and 2018.

Imaging advocates urge feds to fix PET coverage gap following approval of new Alzheimer’s drug

CMS intends to soon propose a new national coverage determination that would loosen restrictions around PET payment, according to a report published Monday. 

Lung cancer cigarettes

Members of Congress introduce bill requiring all Medicaid programs to cover lung cancer screening

H.R. 4286 also would expand coverage for tobacco cessation in the federal payment program, including counseling and medication-assisted treatment.