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.

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.

The fight continues: Cardiologists turn up heat on Congress to stop Medicare payment cuts

Dozens of medical societies have signed a new letter urging Congress to stop upcoming Medicare payment cuts. “The Medicare payment system remains on an unsustainable path threatening beneficiaries’ access to physicians," they wrote.

September 23, 2022

Use of ultrasound to guide needles used for femoral vascular access for cath lab procedures can help reduce bleeding and vascular complications. But the Universal Trial at TCT 2022 showed no difference. Image courtesy of Sonosite

Ultrasound guidance for femoral access did not reduce bleeding or vascular complications in TCT late-breaker

The UNIVERSAL Trial, one of the largest multicenter randomized trials comparing ultrasound with fluoroscopic guidance vs. fluoroscopic guidance alone, found there was no reduction in major vascular access complications.

September 20, 2022

Cardiologist compensation hits $622K, up 32% from 10 years ago

According to a new analysis from MedAxiom, an American College of Cardiology company, cardiologist compensation has nearly returned to where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. The detailed report also examined new patient visits, cardiac imaging utilization and much more.

September 15, 2022

JenaValve Technology transfemoral TAVR system.

JenaValve raises $100M for its transfemoral TAVR system for severe aortic regurgitation

After finding success in Europe, the company is focused on gaining FDA approval for its Trilogy Heart Valve System and launching the device in the United States.

September 1, 2022

Affera Inc Medtronic $925 million catheter ablation atrial fibrillation (AFib)

Medtronic completes acquisition of heart rhythm tech company in a deal reportedly worth $925M

Affera’s portfolio includes interventional solutions such as the Affera Prism-1 mapping and navigation platform, designed to help electrophysiologists diagnose heart rhythm issues, and the Sphere-9 cardiac ablation catheter.

August 31, 2022

Jianyi "Jay" Zhang, MD, PhD, is leading research on growing new heart muscle cells

Researchers receive $11.2M to study how the heart recovers from significant damage

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, awarded the funds to three research teams.

August 23, 2022

CathVision’s ECGenius EP Recording System, a new solution designed to capture high-fidelity, low-noise electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings for the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Heart rhythm specialists raise $7.2M to fund advances for FDA-cleared ECG system

The new funding all came from existing investors. “Reinvesting in the company demonstrates confidence in our innovation," CathVision's CEO said about the news.

August 19, 2022

Cardiologists earn the highest average salary in all of healthcare

The new report, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, once again highlights the fact that cardiology is associated with high demand and high compensation in today's market.

August 16, 2022

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