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.

Led by TAVR business, Edwards Lifesciences has strong 3rd quarter

For the third quarter of 2015, Edwards Lifesciences had a 1.3 percent increase in worldwide sales compared with the same period last year, including an increase of 10.8 percent in its transcatheter heart valve therapy business.

October 28, 2015

Revenue up, profits down in Boston Scientific’s 3Q

Boston Scientific has reported a loss of 15 cents per share in the third quarter of 2015, for a total loss of $198 million. However, the company had a 9 percent increase in operational revenue on a constant currency basis.

October 28, 2015

Endologix and TriVascular Technologies agree to merge

Endologix and TriVascular Technologies announced on Oct. 26 that they had signed a definitive merger agreement in a stock and cash deal. The transaction is valued at approximately $211 million based on the closing prices on Oct. 23 of $9.10 per TriVascular share and $13.81 per Endologix share, according to a news release.

October 27, 2015

Edwards Lifesciences appoints Martha H. Marsh to board of directors

Edwards Lifesciences appointed longtime healthcare executive Martha H. Marsh to its board of directors on Oct. 23, according to a company news release.

October 23, 2015

Medtronic CEO focuses on value-based health care, innovation and emerging markets

Since taking over as Medtronic’s CEO, Omar Ishrak has focused on three goals: improving innovation, expanding into emerging markets and becoming a leader in value-based health care, according to a Barron’s article. A Jefferies analyst called Medtronic’s acquisition of Covidien earlier this year a “bold move” and said “Ishrak changed the ethos of the company.”

October 20, 2015

Boston Scientific provides funding for MValve Technologies

Boston Scientific announced on Oct. 8 that it had provided additional financing for MValve Technologies, a company that is developing a percutaneous mitral valve replacement system. Boston Scientific said it has an exclusive option to acquire MValve Technologies, a privately held corporation founded in 2011 with operations in San Diego and Herezeliya, Israel.

October 9, 2015

St. Jude Medical completes Thoratec acquisition to expand its heart failure portfolio

St. Jude Medical completed its acquisition of Thoratec on Oct. 8, expanding its heart failure business and adding products such as the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device.

October 9, 2015

Express Scripts plans to cover PCSK9 inhibitors on its national formulary

Express Scripts announced it would include the two recently FDA-approved proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors on its national preferred formulary, which covers approximately 25 million people in the U.S.

October 7, 2015

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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

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