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.

‘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.
Motivation helps heart patients stay active
Alexander Fanaroff, MD, said the late-breaking BE ACTIVE clinical trial presented at ACC.24 offers a blueprint for how to get patients to be more physically active.

New legislation that would improve patient access to cardiac, pulmonary rehab programs introduced in Senate

The bill has received support from both parties. The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association also hope to see it signed into law by President Joe Biden.

June 14, 2021

The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), a related organization of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), this week released a statement on the criminalization of medical errors. The APSF said criminal prosecution is unjust and counterproductive is healthcare organizations want to find ways to mitigate errors by understanding how they happen and create protocols or IT systems can can help prevent future errors. The criminal trial of nurse RaDonda Vaught was counterproductive to safety.

Interventional cardiologists back prior authorization bill, call current policies ‘costly' and ‘time consuming’

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions is the latest industry organization to show its support of the new legislation.

May 28, 2021

New York cardiologist sentenced to 20 months in prison, fined $100K for elaborate fraud scheme

The cardiologist was also ordered to pay more than $500,000 in restitution, according to an official statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

May 20, 2021

A book titled "Health Care Law" next to a gavel and a stethoscope

Virginia health system sues competitor for $20M for allegedly blocking expansion, hiring away cardiologists

The issues between these two systems appears to go back several years.

May 19, 2021

quality imaging appropriateness clinical decision support CAS AUC

Cardiologists support bipartisan prior authorization bill, praising its ‘transparency’ and ‘oversight’

The ACC is enthusiastically backing the bipartisan legislation, saying it would improve care for the country's cardiovascular patients.

May 14, 2021

Boston-based tech company raises $8M to develop AI-powered CVD software

The company also announced that two specialists with more than 25 years of industry experience have joined its leadership team.

May 12, 2021

Cardiologist leaves Amazon leadership role to join digital health startup

In the past, Majmudar has also helped manage the Healthcare Transformation Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital and served as an associate professor at Harvard Medical School.

May 11, 2021

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has published a new guidance document focused on the treatment of patients who present with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and other chronic conditions sch as hypertension, diabetes and atrial fibrillation (AFib).

CTA, ACC announce new plan to help device manufacturers connect with cardiologists

Representatives from Google Health, Philips, Samsung, Abbott and Omron have been invited to contribute to the new collaboration.

May 10, 2021

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

‘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

Motivation helps heart patients stay active

Around the web