VHA renews contract with two large healthcare providers

VHA Inc. renewed commitments with Covenant Health in Knoxville, Tenn., and Partners HealthCare System in Boston.

Combined, the healthcare providers spend nearly $1 billion annually on medical supplies and pharmaceuticals. The organizations already use VHA agreements to purchase products worth about $360 million annually.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.