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.

Thumbnail

Massachusetts hospital blamed for Medicare underpayments in other states

Miscalculations by Nantucket Cottage Hospital in Massachusetts in wages and costs in 2015 resulted in Medicare paying all hospitals in the state $133 million more than it should—creating a chain reaction that resulted in hospitals around the country being underpaid by CMS.

Thumbnail

Pinnacle to affiliate with UPMC, buy 4 hospitals

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based Pinnacle Health announced it will more than double the number of hospitals within its system while also beginning an affiliation with the state’s largest health system, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). 

Mayo Clinic CEO: Prioritize the privately insured over Medicare, Medicaid patients

John Noseworthy, MD, the CEO of the Mayo Clinic, has told employees to give preference to patients with commercial insurance over those covered by Medicare or Medicaid, if the patients have equivalent conditions.

Skin tests, decision-making aids improve antibiotic use

Antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporin are vitally important to effective healthcare, but allergic patients miss out on the benefits. Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) conducted a study using penicillin allergy skin tests and computerized decision support tools to examine individuals who were previously labeled as allergic to penicillin.

Machine learning, AI are coming for healthcare

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are playing increasing large roles in technological developments in healthcare. Megan Williams, of Samsung Business Insights, examines how machine learning will impact the industry. 

Simplifeye delivers patient information to a physician's wrist with the Apple Watch

Catching up on patient information costs physician an extra 15 minutes, delaying direct care time and increasing wait times. As a way for clinicians to keep patient information close Zach and Ryan Hungate developed Simplifeye, bringing patient data to clinician’s wrists through an Apple Watch.

Thumbnail

Fairview, HealthEast plan merger into 11-hospital system in Minnesota

Fairview Health Service and HealthEast Care System have announced their intention to merge, creating what is likely the largest health system in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area with a combined $5 billion in annual revenue.

Usable supplies thrown away by U.S. hospitals get sent to other countries

Through four warehouses in Maine, the nonprofit group Partners for World Health collects unused medical equipment and supplies from U.S. hospitals and ship them to hospitals across the world. 

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.