As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, proposed updates to federal healthcare cybersecurity standards have reignited debate across the industry. Introduced in December 2024, these regulations represent the first significant update to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's (HIPAA) Security Rule, aiming to address the advent of AI, quantum computing and virtual reality. These changes mandate that HIPAA-covered entities encrypt data, implement multifactor
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Health IT & Digital Health-Opinion | Op-Eds | Guest Columns | Analysis, Insights - HIT Consultant
Closing the EHR Gap: Patient Communication as a Bridge in a Fragmented Healthcare System
For decades, the Electronic Health Record (EHR) has been the backbone of the healthcare tech stack. And that’s for good reason. The digitization that EHRs provide has transformed how hospitals and health systems interact with clinical data, as well as how they talk to patients.
But the EHR isn’t a monolith. In 2025, we find ourselves in a healthcare environment that puts new value on patient centricity and value-based care. As healthcare leaders continue to adapt, they continue to recognize a
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Beyond the Buzz: AI and Automation Can Drive Operational Efficiency While Enhancing Health Plan Member Experiences
Imagine a world where interactions with your health plan feel as intuitive and supportive as confiding in a trusted expert—even during moments of crisis. A world where members no longer face long phone queues or convoluted systems for routine inquiries when support is needed most. Instead, AI and automation redefine support, delivering scalable, secure, and empathetic experiences for meaningful business and member experience impact.
For government-sponsored health plans balancing
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Hidden Challenges of AI in Healthtech: Why It’s More Complex Than It Seems
Artificial intelligence is transforming numerous industries, and healthcare is no exception. Automated diagnostic systems, personalized treatment plans, and advanced medical image analysis—all made possible by AI—are already reshaping the sector. It may seem like the future of healthcare has arrived, especially considering that approximately 94% of healthcare companies report using AI or machine learning in some capacity.
In the European Union, 42% of healthcare organizations leverage AI for
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How Agentic AI Simplifies Healthcare Workflows and Reduces Administrative Overhead
The U.S. healthcare system is drowning in paperwork. McKinsey estimates spending on healthcare administration to be over $950 billion annually. More importantly, the time required for administration takes away from patient care, as the average physician spends 15.5 hours per week on administrative tasks. The complexity of healthcare administration is estimated to cost $68,000 per physician per year. While the United States continues to lead in medical advancements and leading-edge treatments,
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Are Your Hospital Beds Safe? Damaged Support Surfaces Dangers
Support surfaces play a critical role in healthcare, influencing patient health outcomes and hospital finances. Yet, these surfaces are often an underestimated source of risk within facilities. A Cambridge University Press study of beds and mattresses in four U.S. hospitals uncovered that support surface damage is more widespread than previously recognized. Some facilities reported damage rates exceeding 70%. This raises concerns about patient safety as hospitals continue using outdated,
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4 Steps Healthcare IT Leaders Can Take to Overcome Cloud Challenges
The cloud is not only a competitive advantage but a new status quo. In fact, the healthcare cloud computing market is expected to grow to $120.6 billion by 2029, up from $53.8 billion in 2024.
As healthcare organizations migrate to the cloud or improve their cloud posture, it’s important to remember that transformation comes with opportunities and challenges alike.
The cloud frees companies from being held back by traditional, outdated systems and three-to-five-year hardware refresh
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The NP/PA Factor: Why Advanced Practice Providers Are Essential for Life Sciences in 2025
For decades, life sciences companies have centered their marketing efforts on physicians, assuming they hold the greatest influence over prescribing and treatment decisions. However, the healthcare landscape has shifted dramatically. Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants/associates (PAs) are not just supporting players, they are primary prescribers shaping patient care across nearly every therapeutic area.
This shift is finally being recognized across the industry. According to
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Scalability in Revenue Cycle: Building a Flexible Model for Sustainable Growth
The demands on revenue cycle management (RCM) today are unrelenting. Healthcare providers are navigating ongoing regulatory shifts while financial constraints and growing patient volumes place immense pressure. The average internal cost of running an RCM operation has increased from 4% to 5%, even with the advances in technology and automation. To be successful, providers must maintain efficiency while delivering quality care.
With this current landscape, RCM must be built for adaptability;
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Critical Role of Transitions of Care in Medicare Advantage Success
The Medicare Advantage (MA) market is at a tipping point, with more than half of all seniors enrolled in an MA plan for their healthcare. Utilization of services is skyrocketing and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has increased pressure to deliver supplemental benefits in a high-quality, low-cost and reportable manner.
As enrollment continues to grow, how health plans are paid — and how much —will be central to the debate over the efficiency and sustainability of
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