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.

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How cardiologists can steer patient discussions about costs and value in the right direction

High out-of-pocket costs are a growing problem in healthcare, often creating stress and confusion for patients. A new analysis in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes examined one way that physicians can help. 

Amgen to acquire Horizon Therapeutics for $27.8B

Amgen’s newly created subsidiary, Pillartree Limited, will acquire Horizon Therapeutics for $116.50 per share in cash. That’s a premium of 19.7% above the closing price of $97.29 on Dec. 9, 2022.

2023 outlook: More health services deals ahead

While economic headwinds and rising interest rates have put a damper on mergers and acquisitions across the healthcare industry in the second half of 2022, health services deals are likely to be on the up and up next year.

VIDEO: Impact of the 2023 Medicare cuts on radiology

Ed Gaines, JD, vice president of regulatory affairs and industry liaison, Zotec Partners, discussed the impact of the 2023 Medicare Fee Schedule on radiology at RSNA 2022 in Chicago last week. RSNA and several other medical societies say the cuts are not sustainable.

Kaiser Permanente nurses approve 22.5% wage hike

A Northern California nurses union has approved their new employment deal with Kaiser Permanente after negotiating a 22.5% wage increase. 

Ed Gaines, JD, CCP, vice president of regulatory affairs and industry liaison, Zotec Partners, discusses the No Surprises Act on radiology at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2022 meeting. Gaines works with RSNA on billing and Medicare issues and spoke in sessions at the RSNA 2022 meeting. Insurance companies have weaponized the No Surprises Act in an effort to cut their costs, he said.

VIDEO: Insurance companies have weaponized the No Surprises Act, may impact patient care

Ed Gaines, JD, CCP, vice president of regulatory affairs and industry liaison, Zotec Partners, discusses the impact of the No Surprises Act on healthcare and medical imaging at the RSNA 2022 meeting

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Bucking the trend: Some hospitals achieving higher margins than before the pandemic

Their financial results are in stark opposition to several dismal reports about hospitals’ operating environments.

MetroHealth names new CEO as previous leader fights back with lawsuit

MetroHealth has named Airica Steed, EdD, MBA, RN, as its next CEO and president, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Around the web

Compensation for heart specialists continues to climb. What does this say about cardiology as a whole? Could private equity's rising influence bring about change? We spoke to MedAxiom CEO Jerry Blackwell, MD, MBA, a veteran cardiologist himself, to learn more.

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”