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? 

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.

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. 

In addition, cardiologists average an additional $75,000 per year in incentive-based bonuses. That number is only higher for two other specialties. 

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. 

Ken Rosenfield, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital, and William Gray, MD, of Lankenau Heart Institute, detailed the long-term impact of a key policy shift. 

Carrie Redick, an ICU nurse for nearly 20 years, said understanding more about financial data improved her ability to acquire funding and other resources for her program when necessary. 

Lawrence Phillips, MD, president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, said that U.S. physicians are growing more and more frustrated by Medicare policies.