Medical Devices
Radiology reimbursement continues to drop, but healthcare providers often can achieve significant savings off the quoted vendor price for CT systems. Keys to finding savings include creating a strong, united team approach and determining what service coverage is best for a particular CT scanner.
Business intelligence is a popular buzzword in the healthcare industry, tapped as a cure-all for almost every faulty business or clinical process. But while BI is not a panacea, done properly it can translate raw data into actionable knowledge and help cut hospital costs.
Putting technology in the hands of doctors that can provide real-time data can help cut costs, but such technology can be expensive for health systems. The question then becomes is it worth it economically?
CMS plans to recompete the supplier contracts awarded in Round 2 of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program, with new contracts beginning July 2016.
Portable chest X-rays are the most common diagnostic exam in intensive care units. But pricing for portable X-ray systems varies, and can range from $40,000 to over $235,000, depending on a variety of factors.
Driven by an aging population and an expanding pool of younger patients, bone-graft substitutes are a $2.5 billion market, which should continue to rise as a result of minimally invasive procedures.
Bariatric surgery has experienced a 16-fold growth in the U.S. within the last 15 years. Reimbursement for gastric band placement and gastric band removal/replacement -- the main types of bariatric procedures -- will increase by 4.5 percent and 6.8 percent respectively in 2014.
How can healthcare supply chain leaders make sure supply chain rises to the top as one of the major priorities within a healthcare organization? Here are some tips to help place supply chain concerns in front of C-level decision-makers.
CMS has just released a proposed rule that would require Medicare prior authorization for certain Medicare Durable Medical Equipment items that the agency characterizes as "frequently subject to unnecessary utilization." The decisions would not be subject to appeal.
Knee replacements now account for over $6 billion in global sales annually, and this number is expected to grow as the population ages and improved accuracy makes younger patients candidates for therapies.