As more hospitals and health systems turn to artificial intelligence for purposes like answering patient portal messages and automating provider scheduling, many have been appointing leaders dedicated to AI in order to develop their own strategy around the use of the technology at their organizations. 

Virtually every problem that exists in healthcare today is exacerbated for rural providers due to lack of resources and funding, a smaller talent pool, and fewer points of access. What can be done? Can the problems facing rural healthcare be solved? Rural healthcare executives share ways that can help alleviate specialty care access, staffing issues, and financial challenges.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has urged Congress to make key changes to the recently introduced Value in Health Care Act that will encourage increased physician participation in alternative payment models (APMs).

To fully appreciate the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in health care, one must think globally. When applied to people in extreme poverty, its impact could be as great as the discovery of penicillin.

An influx of patient portal messages during recent years is taking a toll on clinicians. As a result, at least 22 systems across the country have added a price tag to the subset of missives demanding the most time and expertise. 

Healthcare costs will balloon 7% next year, as payers hammer out new contracts with providers, the labor shortage stretches on and drug prices continue to increase, according to a new report by PwC.

In what the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today described as a “parity adjustment recalibration,” the agency said it willincrease paymentsto skilled nursing facilities by 4%, or $1.4 billion, starting in fiscal year 2024.