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.

Top nuclear imaging group ‘strongly disagrees’ with Humana’s decision to refuse coverage for PET/CT

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging said the move denies patients access to potentially lifesaving technologies.

November 12, 2020

Delaware cardiology practice to pay $500K to resolve fraud allegations

The alleged wrongdoings, reported by a whistleblower, occurred from April 2014 to March 2020.

November 12, 2020

HCA Healthcare was recently hit with its second antitrust lawsuit — this time from the city of Brevard, North Carolina, for allegedly engaging in anti-competitive schemes.

Patients settle with Indiana cardiology providers for $66.5M over malpractice claims

The settlement comes at the end of a lengthy legal battle that made national headlines.

November 10, 2020

Patient groups urge U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Affordable Care Act

The American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and other patient advocacy groups emphasized the important link between health insurance coverage and patient outcomes.

November 10, 2020

Corruption or coincidence? Physicians use cardiac devices made by manufacturers who pay them the most

More than 4,000 physicians were included in the study, and 94% of them had received payments from at least one device manufacturer. The median payment received was $1,211.

November 3, 2020

The pandemic’s toll: Total deaths, death from heart disease both up in the US

Total death counts in the United States are typically consistent from one year to the next, the authors noted—but not in 2020.

October 12, 2020

Cardiovascular disease is down among the wealthy—but what about everyone else?

Researchers wrote that they observed "substantial and increasing disparities in CVD between people with the most resources and the remainder of the U.S. population."

September 25, 2020

Florida cardiologist says he was fired for criticizing the hospital—they say it’s because of inappropriate comments

Gary Idelchik, MD, has filed a lawsuit against BayCare Health System in Florida.

September 24, 2020

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

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