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.

SCAI: Noncompete contracts unfairly bind cardiologists to hospitals unless they move
"These provisions are contained in what amounts, in many cases, to contracts of adhesion, because a physician’s only choice is to accept the terms of the contract without revision or else forgo employment," the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions wrote to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
ACR blasts ‘deeply flawed’ Anthem policy targeting out-of-network radiologists
Last month, the insurance giant announced it will begin charging hospitals a 10% administrative penalty for claims that involve docs outside of its networks.
White House official promises announcement in ‘coming days’ on healthcare, as Trump preps for nationwide tour
The source told Reuters an announcement is coming but provided no specifics. Meanwhile, Republican senators have begun drafting legislation to distribute payments directly to Americans for the purpose of buying insurance—an idea Trump floated in a social media post.
Colorado law barring medical debt from credit reports faces federal challenge from trade lobby
While the law sunsets in 2028, ACA International and the debt collector Creditors Bureau USA are not waiting. They filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that Colorado is illegally restricting free speech, in violation of the First Amendment.
New physician Medicare payments for the Agent drug-coated balloon set for 2027
Boston Scientific said two category III CPT codes are set to become permanent category I codes for physician payments starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Example of the four types of breast tissue density. The density of fibroglandular tissue inside the breast impacts the ability to easily see cancers. Cancers are very easy to spot in fatty breasts, but are almost impossible to find in extremely dense breasts. These examples show craniocaudal mammogram findings characterized as almost entirely fatty (far left), scattered areas of fibroglandular density (second from left), heterogeneously dense (second from right), and extremely dense (far right). RSNA

Breast density notification laws: How will the FDA's updates affect radiologists and referring providers?

The FDA will soon require mammography providers to inform all patients of their breast density status. To anticipate how the update might affect key stakeholders, it’s important to understand exactly what has changed.

Paltry use of CT for lung cancer screening persists across all payer types

The findings should serve as a call to action for radiologists to increase awareness about LDCT, experts contended.

UnitedHealthcare to cut back on prior authorization paperwork

UnitedHealthcare announced it would remove 20% of its current prior authorizations starting with the third quarter of this year.

FDA approves OTC Narcan for the first time

The medication can reverse an opioid overdose and is a critical, life-saving product now able to be sold directly to consumers in places like pharmacies, convenience stores, grocers, gas stations and online, the FDA said.

Congress aims to crack down on ‘zombie drug’

Xylazine is a sedative intended for animals such as horses and cattle, but it is increasingly being found mixed with strong opioids such as fentanyl.

A list of cardiovascular drugs a patient is taking in a graphical format in the Cardioviso atrial fibrillation patient management application GE Healthcare showed at ACC.23.#ACC23 #ACC

Lawsuit slams PBMs Cigna, Humana as price-fixing ‘modern gangsters’

“Medications shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, metaphorically or literally,” says Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost “Insulin is just a symptom of the problem; PBMs are the disease.”

American College of Radiology says accreditation fees will rise 9% across most modalities

Pricing updates will take effect on July 1 and mark the first rate increase in more than a decade, ACR said.

cardiologist doctor physician patient black diverse hypertension

Healthcare groups ask CMS to create hybrid primary care payment option

Twenty-seven healthcare organizations signed the letter to CMS asking the agency to create a hybrid payment model, including the National Association of Accountable Care Organizations, AMGA, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Primary Care Collaborative.

Policy & Regulations

SCAI: Noncompete contracts unfairly bind cardiologists to hospitals unless they move

ACR blasts ‘deeply flawed’ Anthem policy targeting out-of-network radiologists

White House official promises announcement in ‘coming days’ on healthcare, as Trump preps for nationwide tour

Colorado law barring medical debt from credit reports faces federal challenge from trade lobby

New physician Medicare payments for the Agent drug-coated balloon set for 2027