It’s no secret that radiology ranks among the medical specialties with the highest mean markups on list prices. However, a new review of Medicare data on prices listed and payments made shows that, far from being arbitrarily set—as is often assumed if not alleged—many of radiology’s highest prices reflect real-world, case-by-case factors involving heightened risk, greater clinical complexity and increased need for subspecialized expertise.

Philips has announced it is acquiring Germany-based TomTec Imaging Systems, primarily to increase its strength in cardiac ultrasound markets.

Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, affiliated with Thomas Jefferson University, is making room in 13 facilities for 100 or so GE Healthcare employees to move in and work on site. And that may be just the start of the newly blossoming relationship.

The odds that Stephen Ferrara, MD, will become the first radiologist elected to the United States Congress have improved. On Friday, the interventionalist reported his campaign raised more than $250,000 in its first eight weeks—possibly a record for a first-time candidate in his state, Arizona.

The American College of Radiology is urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to start paying for CT colonography for seniors.

The India-headquartered manufacturer of radiotracers used in nuclear imaging has come under the watchful eye of an American journalist for its alleged price gouging and possibly improper product bundling.

In the business world, it’s a given that competition is good for consumers. Battles over market share tend to drive quality up, push prices down and spawn new products and services. When it comes to healthcare, however, some see competition as a dirty word. Shouldn’t caring for patients be closer to a public service than a commercial enterprise? On some levels, absolutely—but not on every level, suggests David Partridge.

The Minnesota Department of Health has determined that, in 2014, North Star Staters spent at least $55 million on procedures considered “low value” by Choosing Wisely criteria—and some 92,000 of those procedures were imaging exams.