Hospital margins decline in 2026 as expenses outpace revenue
As hospitals seek to shore up their finances in a challenging environment, cost-focused initiatives are taking priority. “Organizations are saying, ‘We’ve got the revenue picture, [now] we’ve really got to get our expense picture to be sustainable with our revenue picture,’” said Steve Wasson, chief data and intelligence officer with Strata Decision Technology. “And what…
The Revenue Cycle of the Future: AI boom and workflow redesigns accelerate rev cycle transformation
Hospitals of all sizes are leveraging AI advancements and workflow redesigns to modernize revenue cycle management, aiming to lower costs, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the patient experience. While technology such as predictive analytics and automation shows promise in streamlining tasks, challenges remain in workforce adaptation, skill shifts, and the need for strategic collaboration, as leaders work to balance innovation with employee training and retention in an increasingly tech-driven environment.
The IPPS FY 27 proposed rule, and how the industry can better care for women
Nick Hut and Kathy Stull discuss the latest in healthcare finance news, and Erika Grotto talks with Monica Christmas, MD, about how the healthcare industry can better care for women in perimenopause. Further reading: Inpatient Prospective Payment System FY27 proposed rule CJR-X Model
A key antitrust case against providers, plus the marriage of patient experience and AI
Nick Hut and Shawn Stack discuss the latest in healthcare finance news. Erika Grotto talks with Jonathan Wiik of FinThrive about how a great patient experience and AI can go together. Also in this episode, a fond farewell to Shawn as he departs the podcast and HFMA.
Healthcare affordability requires a collective effort, industry leaders say
There’s an urgency to address healthcare affordability, but more could be done by providers, insurers and investors, according to panelists at a Vitalic Health-assembled panel at ViVE, the international annual health tech conference sponsored by CHIME and held Feb. 22-25 in Los Angeles. In the presentation, called “Vitalic Health: Where tech meets financial reality,” panelists…
News Briefs: Relief might be fleeting for healthcare after Supreme Court’s decision on tariffs
The Supreme Court’s Feb. 20 decision striking down most of the Trump administration’s tariff policy negated many of the tariffs that have affected healthcare and other industries since beginning in August 2025. The ruling leaves in place sector-specific tariffs such as increased levies on imports of steel and aluminum, for which the tariff has been…
Health system PBM ownership model shows benefits amid reform pressure
Amid heightened scrutiny of the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) model, one health system is touting an alternative approach. St. Louis-based SSM Health is co-owner of Navitus Health Solutions, a PBM with 18 million members among 800 clients across all 50 states. Navitus has a niche that helps it optimally serve customers while bolstering the operation…
CMS’s claims attachments rule sets deadline to shift to full electronic submission
March 30 update CMS sent out an email announcing a town hall to discuss the new final rule. The town hall takes place Tuesday, March 31 between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Eastern time. No registration is required. The town hall can be joined at this Teams link. As there will not be a live…
Revenue cycle as enterprise infrastructure: Building financial resilience in 2026
Healthcare finance leaders are confronting a new reality: Revenue cycle performance is no longer just an operational task — it’s a central driver of financial sustainability and organizational resilience. Rising payer complexity, increasing patient financial responsibility and the persistent pressure of workforce shortages are forcing a strategic reappraisal of how revenue operations are structured and…
Getting more bang for the buck from AI: Insight from Privia Health
An extensive search for the right AI implementation partners is paying off for Privia Health Group in Arlington, Virginia, an HFMA MAP Award winner that boasts positive results from incorporating AI in its revenue cycle. Privia, a publicly traded physician management company, has installed or will be installing AI in a variety of applications. Vendors…