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.

Private equity-backed cardiology group acquires Arizona practice with 4 locations
Florida-based Cardiovascular Associates of America has expanded its roster to include a team of 14 cardiologists and advanced practitioners in Arizona.
‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use
U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?
Medicare reimbursement down 29% for cardiologists, 58% for heart surgeons
Physician payments are down slightly across the board, but they've fallen significantly for a handful of specialties. Researchers examined the long-term impact this trend could have on patient care.
Cardiologists, thoracic surgeons applaud FTC’s ban of most noncompete clauses
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions and Society of Thoracic Surgeons have both shared statements in support of the ban, which is already being challenged in court. The American Hospital Association, meanwhile, opposes the policy shift, saying it “errs by seeking to create a one-size-fits-all rule”
Why the business side of cardiology was a key focus at ACC.24
Alison Bailey, MD, co-chair of the business of cardiology sessions at ACC.24, emphasized that reimbursement cuts can have a long-term negative impact on patient.

Video of ASE lobbyists explaining issues with Medicare funding policy reform in Washington DC.

Key government policies impacting cardiac ultrasound

Two experienced lobbyists who represent the American Society of Echocardiography detailed some of the biggest issues they are working on in Washington.

August 21, 2023

cardiologist patient heart compensation starting salary 2022 interventional cardiologist

Starting salaries in cardiology down 10% as other specialties thrive

Starting salaries for specialty physicians are on the rise, according to a new report from AMN Healthcare. Why is that not the case for cardiologists?

August 14, 2023

money business cash flow dollar. Kingsway Financial Services, a Chicago-based holding company with subsidiaries in several industries, has acquired New Jersey-based Digital Diagnostics Imaging (DDI) for $11 million. The transaction was funded with $5.4 million in cash and $5.6 million in debt financing.

Shockwave Medical, the subject of recent acquisition rumors, announces $650M private offering

A majority of the proceeds raised would go toward "general corporate purposes," which could mean anything from research and development to investments in other healthcare companies.

August 14, 2023

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has issued a new statement urging the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to rethink its maintenance of certification (MOC) policies. The organization, home to more than 4,500 interventional cardiologists, says some of its members have seen their privileges “threatened and even revoked” despite passing the necessary exams and reporting procedural volumes as required. Stamp | Certification

Interventional cardiologists call out ABIM for ‘unfair and unjustified’ certification policies

“This situation unacceptably exacerbates the interventional cardiology workforce shortage and threatens to directly impact the care of patients," SCAI wrote in a new statement.

August 11, 2023

Former managers of a Tampa Florida-based radiology company Advanced Diagnostic Group (ADG) and its employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) retirement benefit manager GreatBanc Trust Co. will pay $19 million to settle a class action lawsuit. The suit alleges they allowed the ESOP’s value to be diverted to managers, directors and their shell companies and away from employee participants. money gavel court lawsuit legal judge judgement

Surgeon sues hospital after being fired for discussing TAVR concerns with media

The vascular surgeon was fired after telling the media about a cardiologist who allegedly performed transcatheter aortic valve replacement without the proper credentials. He is now suing the hospital for wrongful termination and defamation.

August 8, 2023

Medicare money payment physician. The CardioVascular Coalition and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions have both issued new statements highlighting their issues with the 2024 MPFS proposed rule.

More cardiology groups step forward with concerns about Medicare payment cuts

The CardioVascular Coalition and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions have both issued new statements highlighting their issues with the 2024 MPFS proposed rule.

July 26, 2023

PaceMate gains a key investor in its heart monitoring technology

Lead Edge Capital is a well-known tech investor that has previously worked with such groups as Spotify, Duo Security and Toast.

July 25, 2023

a patient talks with her doctor, both are women of color

Heart specialists receive nearly $30M to study PCI and CABG among underrepresented patient groups

Teams from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Weill Cornell Medicine will collaborate on the research.

July 25, 2023

Around the web

Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Radiology Business

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Economics

Private equity-backed cardiology group acquires Arizona practice with 4 locations

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use

Medicare reimbursement down 29% for cardiologists, 58% for heart surgeons

Cardiologists, thoracic surgeons applaud FTC’s ban of most noncompete clauses

Why the business side of cardiology was a key focus at ACC.24

Around the web