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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Experts detail how recent Medicare Physician Fee Schedule changes impact radiology

With the recent adjustment, the conversion factor is now 1.77% lower than it was in 2023, at $33.2875, consulting firm Healthcare Administrative Partners notes. 

March 28, 2024
Money Eye

Medicaid still leads gov in payment errors but showing improvement

Medicaid’s $50 billion in improper payments was the highest total for a single programbut it was also the most improved government program, cutting about $30 billion from its 2022 improper payments total. 

March 28, 2024
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Cardiologists received $1.3B in industry payments over 10-year period, No. 3 among all healthcare specialties

Only orthopedic surgeons and neurologists/psychiatrists received more industry payments from 2013 to 2022 than cardiologists. Also, the two prescription medications associated with the most physician payments were a blood thinner and an anticoagulant. 

March 28, 2024
Medtronic has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Evolut FX+ transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system for the treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

FDA approves Medtronic’s next-generation TAVR system with new frame design

The Evolut FX+ TAVR system includes an updated diamond-shaped frame, which was made four times larger than previous models to offer improved coronary access. It was also designed to provide more space for operators to guide and maneuver the catheter during procedures.

March 28, 2024
Medicare money payment reimbursement dollar decline. More than 100 U.S. medical societies are throwing their support behind a new proposal that could reform out-of-date Medicare policies and help limit future payment cuts. 

Imaging’s total share of US healthcare spending plummets as others record gains

The percentage of patients who received imaging services also declined from 46% in 2010 down to 40% by 2021, experts wrote in Health Affairs Scholar

March 27, 2024
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FDA approves new drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension from Johnson & Johnson, Merck

Cardiologists now have two more tools to help them combat PAH, a rare vascular condition that often leads to heart failure.

March 27, 2024
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Radiology the only category to see year-over-year decrease in insurers’ max allowed amount

Transparency firm Fair Health recently analyzed data around this key figure, which represents the highest amount a plan will pay for a covered service. 

March 26, 2024
Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Hospital accused of implanting experimental heart valve in young patient without proper consent

Members of Congress are now asking the FDA to investigate a parent's claim that her 14-year-old son was treated with an experimental heart valve without proper consent. The valve eventually failed and had to be replaced. The hospital has said its heart team did nothing wrong. 

March 26, 2024