Medical Groups
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Surprise BillingCalifornia judge tosses Elevance’s surprise billing suit in win for providers
It’s a major victory for controversial billing intermediary HaloMD, which cheered the court’s decision. Elevance said it plans to appeal.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • April 14, 2026 -
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AI scribe adoption linked to modest reductions in EHR, documentation time: study
Clinicians’ use of an AI scribe was associated with 13 fewer minutes each day inside electronic health records and 16 fewer minutes on documenting patient care, according to the research published in JAMA.
By Emily Olsen • April 2, 2026 -
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TrendlineProvider burnout
Hospitals are still struggling with provider burnout, after the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated underlying staffing issues and prompted workers to quit their jobs.
By Healthcare Dive staff -
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OpinionRestoring balance to the No Surprises Act
In response to an opinion piece from the American Hospital Association, Dr. Catherine Gaffigan, president of health solutions at Elevance, defends the company’s new facility administrative policy.
By Catherine Gaffigan • March 30, 2026 -
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Cencora to buy EyeSouth’s retina business for $1.1B
The proposed acquisition is Cencora’s latest push into retina services as the company looks to expand its specialty support business. Cencora doesn't expect the deal to close before the end of September.
By Sydney Halleman • March 24, 2026 -
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CMS sets standards for electronic transfer of claims documentation
The rule standardizes the electronic exchange of medical records and other documents requested by payers to support claims. It should cut out outdated methods like faxes and snail mail, the CMS said.
By Emily Olsen • March 23, 2026 -
Emily Olsen/Healthcare Dive
Deep Dive // HIMSS26Balancing AI innovation and risk: 5 takeaways from HIMSS26
The healthcare sector will increasingly adopt autonomous agents this year, but it’ll have to consider how to adapt governance structures and manage cybersecurity risks as AI evolves, experts said in Las Vegas last week.
By Emily Olsen and Jill Hughes • March 16, 2026 -
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HIMSS26Safety-net providers tackle AI adoption as Medicaid cuts loom
Artificial intelligence tools could help safety-net organizations close gaps created by massive cuts to Medicaid signed into law last year, experts said at the HIMSS conference.
By Emily Olsen • March 12, 2026 -
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AMA creates new maternity care coding system
The doctors’ association is blowing up the U.S.’ decades-old coding system for recording pregnancy services and starting fresh next year, bowing to calls from OB-GYNs and other maternity specialists.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals
Kaiser Permanente workers end monthlong strike in California, Hawaii
The workers’ union said “significant movement” at the bargaining table led to the end of the strike. But according to Kaiser, union leadership accepted the wage increase that the health system already offered in October.
By Emily Olsen • Updated Feb. 24, 2026 -
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Private equity firm to buy home health and hospice provider Enhabit in $1.1B deal
The deal, which will take Enhabit private, comes after private equity investments in healthcare reached record highs last year.
By Sydney Halleman • Feb. 24, 2026 -
Courtesy of Humana
Humana’s CenterWell buys primary care provider MaxHealth
The addition of 82 owned and affiliated clinics in Florida comes as Humana doubles down on its primary care portfolio.
By Emily Olsen • Feb. 17, 2026 -
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Demand for outpatient medical buildings growing: reports
The average fit-out cost to turn space into a medical office building is $412 per square foot, not counting structural upgrades, according to an analysis.
By Joe Burns • Feb. 12, 2026 -
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CVS holds 2026 guidance steady as turnaround plan bears fruit
The healthcare giant outperformed to close out 2025, and expects its finances to improve further this year. Still, proposed Medicare Advantage rates could be an issue moving forward.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Feb. 10, 2026 -
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Kaiser Permanente strike expands as pharmacy, lab workers walk out
More than 3,000 pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants and clinical laboratory professionals joined the strike, which entered its third week on Monday.
By Emily Olsen • Feb. 9, 2026 -
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Trump signs funding bill with PBM reforms, hospital-at-home and telehealth extensions
The funding package ends a partial government shutdown and enacts several healthcare policies, including preserving telehealth flexibilities in Medicare through 2027.
By Emily Olsen • Feb. 4, 2026 -
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Prices rise at surgery centers acquired by Optum: study
The full financial impact of the price hikes could exceed $67 million each year in two dozen markets, according to the new study published in Health Affairs.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Feb. 3, 2026 -
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Telehealth flexibilities, hospital-at-home waivers lapse amid partial government shutdown
The Senate passed a spending package Friday, but the measure is still awaiting House approval. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the partial shutdown should be brief.
By Emily Olsen • Feb. 2, 2026 -
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Healthcare bankruptcies fall in 2025, but providers still face headwinds: report
Bankruptcy filings dropped 21% compared to 2024, according to Gibbins Advisors. Still, the sector’s financial outlook is unsteady due to pressures from Medicaid cuts and other policy changes.
By Emily Olsen • Feb. 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth revenue climbs in 2025, though profit continues to fall
The healthcare behemoth posted its lowest profits since 2018 last year, largely thanks to continued Medicare Advantage challenges. Executives warned how regulators’ “disappointing” rate update might further contract MA.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 27, 2026 -
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Surprise Billing
No Surprises disputes increasing even as arbiters catch up, CMS says
The agency released new data on independent dispute resolution in the first half of 2025. Roughly 1.2 million cases were filed in that period, mostly by the same private equity-backed providers.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 26, 2026 -
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31,000 Kaiser Permanente workers strike in California, Hawaii
Kaiser workers are calling for increased staffing and wages, which the union argues haven’t kept pace with rising costs. The health system said a generous offer is already on the table.
By Emily Olsen • Jan. 26, 2026 -
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MedPAC steps away from advocating doctor pay be tied to inflation
The advisory group wants Congress to approve a 0.5 percentage point increase for doctors in Medicare next year. But some commissioners dissented over MedPAC’s about-face on underlying payment reform.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 16, 2026 -
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Doctors focused on scope of practice, Medicaid cuts in state legislatures this year: AMA
The physician lobby surveyed 64 medical societies and found that most of them were worried about nurses, physician assistants and other practitioners getting more freedom to provide care this year.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Jan. 12, 2026 -
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Deep Dive
Top healthcare provider trends in 2026
Health systems that address costs, workforce planning and portfolio strategy may be better positioned as reimbursement headwinds intensify this year.
By Michael Brady • Jan. 8, 2026 -
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UnitedHealthcare raises bar for doctors to get paid for radiology services
The change runs counter to the company’s broader efforts to pare back red tape for physicians amid widespread discontent with health insurers.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated Jan. 9, 2026
