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.

Amid ‘ever-escalating’ costs in cancer care, experts say its ‘imperative’ radiology screens for financial toxicity
Despite this dire need, there is wide variability in such processes, including the timing, setting, tools utilized and interpretation of the results, according to new research.
Private equity dealmaking in healthcare stalls amid persistent bid-ask gap, negative regulatory environment
PE sponsors announced or closed about 158 transactions in the first quarter (including five in imaging), a “downward trend even from 2023’s sluggish pace,” Pitchbook reports.
Biopsy before ablation has no cost advantage over both-at-once approach
Established guidelines recommend biopsying small tumors of the kidney ahead of any procedure to ablate them. A new study confirms the validity of pursuing another pathway.
Radvocates applaud bipartisan bill that would end decade-long decline in Medicare reimbursement
The Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value-Based Program Act of 2024 would build on the shelved RO Model and save the federal payment program $200M.
Radiation therapy centers sold out of private equity-backed provider’s bankruptcy estate for nearly $3M
American Shared Hospital Services is acquiring a 60% stake and expects the facilities to generate upward of $10 million in annual revenue.

Congress adjourns for 2023 without a radiologist pay fix

ACR expects the House and Senate to address this issue when lawmakers debate the Continuing Resolution set to expire Jan. 19.

December 14, 2023

artificial intelligence AI money brain dollar

South Korean imaging AI vendor Lunit to acquire rival for $193M

Adding Volpara's mammography solutions, used in over 2,000 U.S. sites, could catapult the acquirer "into the forefront of the American market.”

December 14, 2023

GAO: No Surprises Act rollout has been ‘challenging’ for radiologists, other physicians

The feds anticipated only about 22,000 disputes between insurers and providers, but the actual number was more than 20 times higher.

December 14, 2023

Radiologists lose market share of Medicare ultrasound billings to cardiologists in some settings

“These shifts may reflect changes in relative utilization of specialty-specific examinations or evolving payment policies," experts wrote in AJR.

December 14, 2023

8 practical strategies to retain radiologists

Jay R. Parikh, MD, and Frank Lexa, MD, MBA, offered their insights in a new pre-proof opinion piece published in JACR.

December 13, 2023

Medical malpractice gavel diagnostic error mistake stethoscope

Medical malpractice ruling: Hospital to pay $39M over young heart patient’s death

Prosecutors successfully argued that the patient would not have died if clinicians had ordered a routine CT exam.

December 13, 2023

White House announces plan to scrutinize private equity ownership in healthcare

The administration said it is launching a cross-government public inquiry into “corporate greed" in medicine, with roll-up acquisitions one area of focus.

December 13, 2023

U.S. News & World Report children’s hospitals cardiology heart surgery

Only 9% of practices list pediatric radiology as a top 3 hiring need, survey finds

The results are from the latest American College of Radiology/Radiology Business Management Association Workforce Survey, published in JACR.

December 13, 2023

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Medicare drops AUC requirement for advanced imaging, ASNC celebrates

"This was an unneeded burden, which was solely adding to the administrative hassles of medicine," said American Society of Nuclear Cardiology President Larry Phillips.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology, radiology groups urge insurance provider to rethink imaging policy

SCAI and four other major healthcare organizations signed a joint letter in support of intravascular ultrasound.

Cardiovascular Business

Radiology AI company gains FDA clearance for new CT offerings focused on PE, stroke

The newly approved AI models are designed to improve the detection of pulmonary embolisms and strokes in patients who undergo CT scans.

Economics

Amid ‘ever-escalating’ costs in cancer care, experts say its ‘imperative’ radiology screens for financial toxicity

Private equity dealmaking in healthcare stalls amid persistent bid-ask gap, negative regulatory environment

Biopsy before ablation has no cost advantage over both-at-once approach

Radvocates applaud bipartisan bill that would end decade-long decline in Medicare reimbursement

Radiation therapy centers sold out of private equity-backed provider’s bankruptcy estate for nearly $3M

Around the web