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.

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 ACC President Cathie Biga wants to improve quality reporting in cardiology
Biga, who originally trained as a nurse, specializes in the business side of cardiology. She also emphasized the increasing importance of AI and other new technologies.
New Jersey cardiologist faces up to 10 years in prison for $1.9M fraud scheme
The doctor, 76, admitted to billing multiple insurance providers for office visits that never happened at all.

Same-day discharge after TAVR is safe for low-risk patients, leads to considerable cost savings

Low-value care, including CVD screening for low-risk adults, costs Medicare providers $478M per year

The study’s authors tracked data from 2007 to 2016, focusing on seven low-value services that all received a “D” recommendation from the USPSTF.

May 3, 2021

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) therapy to break up calcified coronary lesions will now be reimbursed at a higher rate under new in-hospital codes the went into effect Oct. 1. Illustration of the Shockwave lithoplasty procedure using sonic waves to bust calcium without trauma.

CMS recommends additional payment for using Shockwave’s IVL technology in hospital setting

CMS included the recommendation in its FY 2022 IPPS proposed rule.

April 28, 2021

Cardiologists push for new patient ID policies, citing multiple benefits

The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association are among dozens of groups fighting to overhaul patient identification policies.

April 27, 2021

Digital health company raises $12.5M to make new hires, ramp up production of heart monitoring devices

The company specializes in capturing, managing and evaluating data generated by remote cardiac monitoring devices.

April 26, 2021

Humana agrees to take second look at panned payment change labeling PET/CT as ‘investigational’

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology recently met with the Louisville, Kentucky, insurer, which shared an openness to reviewing a recent coverage determination.

April 26, 2021

Heart failure deaths are rising in the US, especially in states that reject Medicaid expansion

Researchers examined heart failure mortality from 1999 to 2017, detailing some of the many trends they uncovered in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

April 23, 2021

Digital health startup with eye on reversing diabetes raises $133M, receives $2B valuation

The company is expected to use this new investment to push its efforts into the mainstream, ramping up growth and product development while working with more clients.

April 22, 2021

Cardiologists join fight for better MIPS transparency

The American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions joined dozens of other U.S. healthcare groups to request more clarity and better communication from CMS when it comes to MIPS updates.

April 21, 2021

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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

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

New ACC President Cathie Biga wants to improve quality reporting in cardiology

New Jersey cardiologist faces up to 10 years in prison for $1.9M fraud scheme

Around the web