Medical Groups
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HIMSS26
Safety-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 -
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 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
CMS distributes rural health funds for 2026
States received an average of $200 million to expand rural care access. Texas received the most money, while New Jersey received the least.
By Sydney Halleman • Jan. 5, 2026 -
UnitedHealth commits to changes after independent review
The healthcare behemoth released results of three highly anticipated external reviews that drilled down on a number of areas for improvement.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 22, 2025 -
Medicare unveils successor to ACO REACH
The value-based care pilot will be replaced by ACO LEAD, a new model that providers and analysts say seems to address many of the problems posed by its predecessor.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 19, 2025 -
Trump administration moves to bar hospitals from providing youth gender-affirming care
Under new proposed rules, hospitals would lose federal funding if they offer treatments including puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgical procedures to minors.
By Sydney Halleman • Dec. 18, 2025 -
Cencora takes majority stake in cancer care platform OneOncology for $5B
The drug distributor has been steadily building up its specialty support assets as it looks to increase access to drugs.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 16, 2025 -
Deep Dive
Goliath v. Goliath
A Medicare Advantage network spat between Optum and Humana in Washington state appears to be benefiting UnitedHealthcare at the expense of its biggest rival. Antitrust experts are alarmed.
By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Dec. 16, 2025