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.

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.
Cardiologist salary update: Compensation jumps to $525K per year, No. 3 among all specialties
In addition, cardiologists average an additional $75,000 per year in incentive-based bonuses. That number is only higher for two other specialties.
The growing shortage or general cardiologists and recruiting crisis in rural America
There is a rapidly growing shortage in general cardiologists and for positions in rural areas, numerous healthcare system recruiters set up at the ACC reported.
Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments
CMS has issued its proposed rule for the 2025 Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment system, suggesting a payment increase of 2.6%. According to the American Hospital Association, this update would not be enough at a time when hospitals are already struggling to stay open.

Cardiologist to pay $2M to settle kickback allegations

The specialist allegedly sold his practice to a California health system for an amount that far exceeded fair market value in exchange for patient referrals to a nearby hospital.

July 20, 2021

Catheter ablation a cost-effective option for HF patients with AFib

Researchers shared their full analysis in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

July 20, 2021

Biden administration invests $103M in reducing burnout among cardiologists, other healthcare workers

The money is part of the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill President Joe Biden signed into law in March.

July 16, 2021

private equity corporatization business consolidation

HeartFlow announces plans to merge, go public in deal worth $2.4B

Once the transaction is finalized, the combined entity will go by the name HeartFlow Group and be listed on the New York Stock Exchange as “HFLO.”

July 16, 2021

As ‘right to repair’ debate continues, hospitals go after surgical robot company

The 'right to repair' debate is one that could impact heart teams and device manufacturers for years to come. Some hospitals have had a head start, accusing one company of unfair repair policies that put patients at risk.

July 14, 2021

Just 21% of academic cardiologists are women—and they earn less than men

Gender gaps in both representation and salary are especially wide in academic cardiology, researchers found.

July 13, 2021

7% of cardiologists worth at least $5M—more than almost any other specialty

The report also found that 18% of cardiologists are still paying off their student loans.

July 2, 2021

FDA announces recall of multiple lots of Smiths Medical insulin syringes

This is a Class I recall, which means the issue could lead to serious injury or death.

June 21, 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

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

Cardiologist salary update: Compensation jumps to $525K per year, No. 3 among all specialties

The growing shortage or general cardiologists and recruiting crisis in rural America

Critics call out ‘woefully inadequate’ CMS proposal for inpatient Medicare payments

Around the web