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.

UCHealth takes full ownership of 2 hospitals, 17 freestanding EDs

Aurora, Colorado-based UCHealth has bought out the stake of a bankrupt co-operator to assume full ownership of two hospitals and 17 freestanding emergency departments (EDs).

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Viral post on social media increases awareness of skin health, cancer risks

Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have published a study in Preventive Medicine that examined social media as an effective route in generating awareness about skin cancer.

Higher satisfaction in care, communication reduces readmission rate

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have found patients admitted to the hospital are less likely to be readmitted in 30 days if they report higher levels of satisfaction in care and communication with providers, according to a study published in BMJ Quality & Safety.

Hospital loses tax-exempt status over joint venture with for-profit entity

An acute care hospital’s 501(c)(3) status was revoked by the Internal Revenue Service after it entered into a joint venture with a for-profit entity, according to the National Law Review.

Clinicial labs sue CMS over cuts to reimbursement

The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) has filed a lawsuit alleging the new Medicare reimbursement system for lab tests goes against what Congress intended in the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) and would reduce payments to labs by about $670 million in 2018.

Scientist develop software to predict tumor markers

Scientists from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a software program capable of predicting which tumor-specific markers will appear on the surface of leukemia cells in patients who received stem cells. Findings were presented at the 59th Annual American Society for Hematology Annual Meeting.

Surgical recording device differentiates between novice, expert surgeons

Researchers from the Keck Medicine of University of Southern California (USC) have found using a recording device during surgical procedures can differentiate between novice and expert surgeons. Findings, published in The Journal of Urology, aimed to improve the evaluation process of surgeon proficiency and standardizing credentialing.

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‘Traditional billing processes’ won’t work with millennial patients

Millennial patients know less about their health benefits, are less likely to pay their medical bills in full and often don’t save for medical expenses, according to a survey published by TransUnion Healthcare.

Around the web

CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?

Stryker, a global medtech company based out of Michigan, has kicked off 2025 with a bit of excitement. The company says Inari’s peripheral vascular portfolio is highly complementary to its own neurovascular portfolio.

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.