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.

UnitedHealth Group - 2

UnitedHealth shareholders push company to report on impact of claims denials

The motion is being advanced by religious groups and hedge funds alike, with the decision to develop a report set to be voted on at the UnitedHealth Group 2025 annual meeting.

Reimbursement update: What hospitals need to know about new Medicare payments for cardiac CT

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?

Healthcare systems set up at the ACC.24 career fair in hopes of filling open positions, including a large and growing number of general cardiologist positions. Photo by Dave Fornell #ACC24 #ACC2024

Healthcare, AI top list of fastest growing jobs

While artificial intelligence engineers and consultants took the top two spots, physical therapists and advanced practice providers also landed among the 25 fastest growing jobs in the U.S. 

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Boston Scientific enters IVL arms race with acquisition worth up to $664M

Boston Scientific has agreed to acquire Bolt Medical, a California-based medical device company focused on developing new intravascular lithotripsy technologies. The news comes less than one year after Johnson & Johnson acquired IVL pioneers Shockwave Medical for $13 billion.

medical debt

$49B in medical debt to be erased from credit reports

A new final rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau bans reporting agencies from including medical debts on credit reports or factoring them into credit scores.

UnitedHealthcare UHC UnitedHealth

$3.3B merger of UnitedHealth and Amedisys delayed by DOJ lawsuit

The new deadline for the deal to be finalized is Dec. 31, 2025. However, the ultimate fate of UnitedHealth's acquisition of Amedisys will be decided in a federal court. 

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Stryker acquires Inari Medical for $4.9B

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.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey

Bill to regulate healthcare private equity lands on desk of Mass. governor

Gov. Maura Healey has until Jan. 9 to pass the act into law or use her veto powers. The bill passed the state Senate on Dec. 30. 

Around the web

U.S. cardiology groups have worked together to propose the creation of a new American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine for certifying cardiologists. Now, after many months of waiting, a final decision is expected by the end of February. 

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

American College of Cardiology President Cathie Biga, MSN, says Medicare payment reform remains a top priority going forward. Site-neutral payments and improved access to PAD screening are two other issues close to the ACC's heart.