News Briefs: White House healthcare plan would have major implications for the industry
President Donald Trump announced a healthcare framework aimed at boosting transparency, consumer choice and affordability, although numerous details still need to be decided before Congress can act on the proposals. The plan’s Jan. 15 release came as Senate talks to renew the expired ACA subsidies stalled amid disputes over abortion coverage and concerns about cost.…
HFMA launches new Executive Councils for patient access and pharmacy revenue cycle leaders
When you organize a meetup for patient access professionals at HFMA’s annual conference and you find it is standing room only, you know you have discovered a member need. That’s what happened when nearly 30 patient access attendees showed up for an informal meet-up hosted by HFMA’s Executive Councils team. The team then invited those…
David Johnson: HHS launches a host of transformative payment models (Oh my!)
In the annals of healthcare policy, historians will celebrate December 2025 as the month when HHS revolutionized federal payment for care delivery and drugs. In quick succession, the agency introduced 10 new, transformative and entirely practical models designed by and largely run through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Beyond creative acronyms, these programs share several attributes: They…
James Mathews: U.S. nursing homes face stormy waters amid staffing challenges and an aging population
Readers of a certain age may recall Sebastian Junger’s book A Perfect Storm, which describes the last voyage of the Andrea Gail, a Massachusetts swordfishing boat. In October 1991, the boat encountered a violent storm in the North Atlantic Ocean and was lost with all hands. The storm was borne of three converging meteorological conditions: the remains of Hurricane Grace,…
Kiran Batheja: Our moon-shot opportunity
When President John F. Kennedy made a once-in-a-generation commitment to put an American on the moon, his words were simple and unmistakable. The moon shot, he said, was a challenge that “we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win.” America would choose its destiny rather than…
Battle of the Bots intensifies over denials
Healthcare payer claim denials are getting smaller, sneakier and faster. The battle of the bots over healthcare claims payment delivered record blows in 2025, with initial denials sometimes occurring within seconds of submission.a “Payers are becoming more sophisticated in their use of AI, and the denials are coming faster than we can keep up,” said…
Affordability under pressure: How hospitals are responding to rising patient cost burdens
When the initial shock of a Stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis wore off, Tampa Bay, Florida, resident Tim McDonald, 57, says a new devastation quickly set in: The cost of what it might take to save his life. McDonald has been outspoken about his experience in dealing with colorectal cancer and has become a strong advocate for education…
How to maintain accurate coding amid staff shortages
Find out how one company pairs expert coding with technology-enabled workflows and rigorous quality checks to help organizations reduce denials, improve accuracy and maintain predictable revenue — allowing teams to stay focused on delivering excellent patient care.
Tips for healthcare leaders on choosing the right RCM partner
Read about how one company enables healthcare leaders to focus on strategic priorities — expanding access to care, improving patient experience and sustaining financial health.
Jill Geisler: What kind of micromanager are you?
Don’t take offense at this column’s headline. Yes, it assumes you are a micromanager. But even though micromanaging has a negative reputation, it isn’t always a sign of poor leadership. Sometimes it’s exactly what you should do. Before we dig into the when, why and how of micromanagement, let me share my description: Micromanagers are supervisors who exercise a high degree of scrutiny…