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.

What happened to cardiology's private practices?
Hospital employment models, reimbursement policies and private equity have all led to a massive reduction in the number of cardiologists working for a private practice, ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, told Cardiovascular Business.
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”

E-cig. Using e-cigarettes may be associated with a heightened risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) or other heart rhythm issues, according to new research published in Nature Communications.

E-cigs outperform other nicotine replacement options for smoking cessation

Amid the FDA’s crackdown on the e-cigarette industry due to rising rates of teen vaping, a new randomized trial revealed e-cigs are effective for their original purpose: The devices were almost twice as successful as other nicotine replacement therapies, like patches and gums, in helping people stop smoking.

January 31, 2019

Study: Without new therapies, CVD mortality in US could rise 62% by 2040

It isn’t too late to sustain a 50-year-long reduction in cardiovascular disease-related deaths, according to research published in Clinical Cardiology—but with rising rates of obesity and diabetes, we’re closer than ever to reversing that progress.

January 29, 2019

FDA seeks to modernize 510(k) clearance pathway for medical devices

The FDA published its final guidance Jan. 22 for ensuring medical devices meet “more modern safety and performance criteria” before being cleared through the agency’s 510(k) review process.

January 23, 2019

Increased disease awareness driving surge in neurovascular thrombectomy device market

A report from Persistence Marketing Research predicts the demand for neurovascular thrombectomy devices (NTDs), particularly stent retrievers, will surge in the near future alongside a growing prevalence of cerebral infarction and ischemic stroke.

January 18, 2019

Companies raised prices for valsartan following recalls

Following a series of valsartan recalls over carcinogenic impurities, at least three sellers of the popular blood-pressure medication hiked their prices, the Wall Street Journal reported.

January 18, 2019

Physician claims he lost work after Montana hospital monopolized cardiology services

Interventional cardiologist Kipp Webb and representatives from Montana’s Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital entered a 19-day jury trial Jan. 17 after Webb claimed the hospital created a monopoly over cardiology services in 2011, preventing him from practicing in the area.

January 17, 2019

durbin-ama-opioid. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) have published new guidelines focused on the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with chronic coronary disease (CCD).

Copay vouchers fail to reduce adverse events in MI survivors

Copayment vouchers for P2Y12 inhibitors modestly improved the likelihood that patients would continue taking the guideline-recommended medications for one year after myocardial infarction, according to a study published in JAMA. However, patients supplied with this financial assistance didn’t see a subsequent improvement in clinical outcomes.

January 16, 2019

Medicaid coverage linked to lower survival of STEMI

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) survivors covered by Medicaid have lower rates of revascularization and higher rates of in-hospital mortality than their counterparts with private insurance, according to a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

January 16, 2019

Around the web

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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

What happened to cardiology's private practices?

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

Around the web