2026 MAP Awards presented to 20 organizations for revenue cycle performance
CHICAGO (March 18, 2026) – The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) announced the 2026 winners of the MAP Award for High Performance in Revenue Cycle, including three integrated delivery systems, eight hospital systems, four individual hospitals, two critical access hospitals and three physician practices. “We want to congratulate these award winners for their dedicated efforts to strengthen…
From billing to strategy: Elevating the patient financial experience
In 2026, the patient financial experience is no longer a “nice to have.” It is a revenue integrity issue, a trust issue and, increasingly, a competitive differentiator. Patients are carrying a larger share of healthcare costs than ever before. At the same time, their expectations are shaped by digital banking, retail and subscription services. When…
How to use an enterprise approach in implementing AI in RCM
Revenue cycle transformation has long been framed as a matter of technological advances. But in the AI-fueled era, the differentiator is shifting from individual technologies to enterprise operating model redesign, according to leaders from Mayo Clinic and Jefferson Health. They described how their organizations are repositioning revenue cycle as a core component of care delivery,…
Gen AI is coming for medical bills: 3 ways to prepare
Patients are behind one of the latest applications of AI to the healthcare revenue cycle, and they are using it to review their bills. Stories of consumers using ChatGPT or other generative AI tools to trim thousands from their medical bills by questioning charges are appearing in the news and social media. YahooFinance wrote about…
How price transparency improves patient trust and collection rates
Price transparency in healthcare has moved well beyond being a regulatory obligation. In today’s consumer-driven environment, it has become a strategic capability that directly influences patient trust, access to care and revenue cycle performance. Patients increasingly expect clear, upfront information about what care will cost, what their insurance will cover and what they will be…
Automation with integrity: The real work behind healthcare’s digital transformation
HFMA’s Healthcare C-suite of the Future report captures precisely where healthcare leadership must go, and it’s a direction we at Healthrise have been deeply invested in for years. The industry’s challenges are real: unsustainable costs, workforce strain and mounting pressures on ROI. Yet the transformation underway is also an extraordinary opportunity if leaders can align…
AI coding at UMass Memorial tempers staffing shortage
UMass Memorial Medical Center’s radiology department has been able to sidestep a lack of bill coding professionals by adopting AI in the medical center’s coding for radiology. “It’s really hard to get certified coders these days,” said Barbara Scully, associate vice president, physician billing with UMass Memorial, which is located in Worcester, Massachusetts. “It’s one…
5 key strategies for a successful mid-cycle
Today’s mid-cycle teams face mounting pressure. Oversight is tightening, payer policies are shifting rapidly and margins continue to shrink. This phase is no longer a simple pass-through, it’s a vital operational checkpoint that demands both strategic leadership and attention to detail. Hospitals that implement structure and prioritize accuracy tend to stay ahead. Those that don’t…
Fortifying revenue management: The critical role of health information management in cybersecurity preparedness
A hospital’s health information management (HIM) team oversees the flow of patient care documentation in healthcare organizations, supporting accuracy, accessibility and security. In the revenue cycle, HIM maintains financial integrity by managing patient data, ensuring proper coding and documentation for billing and verifying clinical data for compliance and reimbursement. HIM also plays an active role…
For-profit health systems turn to AI and automation to manage payer denials
Some for-profit health systems are increasingly looking to AI and other automation tools to tackle the worsening problem of payer denial management, as 73% of providers have seen claims denials increase.