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.

Cardiologist sues hospital for alleged underpayment

Kris Godlewski, MD, a cardiologist, filed a lawsuit against Saint Peter’s Hospital in Montana claiming the hospital cost him $600,000 over six years, KTVH reports.

Abiomed’s quarterly revenue increases 34 percent, led by strong Impella sales growth

Abiomed’s revenue increased 34 percent to $114.7 million during the third fiscal quarter of 2017 compared with the same time period last year. Meanwhile, its GAAP net income increased from $0.23 per diluted share in the third fiscal quarter of 2016 to $0.34 per share in the third fiscal quarter of 2017.

Florida cardiology group, Cigna launches value-based episodes-of-care payment model

Cigna agreed to a value-based episodes-of-care payment model with HeartWell, a medical practice with 23 cardiologists in nine offices in South Florida.

Johnson & Johnson agrees to acquire Actelion Pharmaceuticals for $30 billion

Johnson & Johnson agreed to acquire Actelion Pharmaceuticals on Jan. 26 for approximately $30 billion.

Diabetes could soon be advertised differently, with focus on what patients need

A new article in Medical Marketing and Media discusses how the marketing of diabetes products could soon change as the American healthcare landscape transforms under new presidential leadership.

Jury finds Miami cardiologist not guilty in Medicare fraud scheme

A jury in Miami acquitted a cardiologist of receiving thousands of dollars in kickbacks as part of a Medicare fraud scheme, the Miami Herald reports.

Readmissions for acute MI, heart failure are expensive, lead to long hospital stays

Readmissions for non-Medicare patients and in other settings are not as closely monitored, although a database analysis suggests that patients spend nearly a week in the hospital and cost nearly $10,000 per readmission.

Mercy Hospital Ada brings in new cardiologist

Mercy Hospital Ada in Ada, Oklahoma has hired cardiologist Finnuala Gurley, MD, reports the Ada News.

Around the web

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.