Health Policy

Clinical evidence, research, and medical intelligence in Health Policy.

Healthcare payment operations strain as volume triples

Healthcare payment systems face rising exception work as volume grows, exposing limits in automation, remittance handling and digital payment adoption.

By Dr. A. Nikhil Krishnan, MBBS · Nov 2, 2026 · 5 min read

Health Policy·Becker H

Elliot Health System Wins S&P Rating Upgrade Ahead of Separation

Elliot Health System received an S&P bond rating upgrade to A as it prepares to separate from SolutionHealth,…

Oct 31, 2026

Health Policy·Becker P

Hill Physicians to acquire HCA-owned MSO in Santa Clara County deal

Hill Physicians Medical Group will add Santa Clara County IPA to its enterprise and acquire its MSO, Pacific…

Oct 31, 2026

Health Policy·Fierce HC

Oscar Health expands ACA exchange footprint with specialized plans

Oscar Health is widening its ACA exchange reach in 2027 while adding specialized plans for retirees, menopause and…

Oct 31, 2026

Health Policy·Becker H

Elective Surgical Demand Softens at HCA, Tenet, CHS and UHS

Executives at four major for-profit health systems described softer elective surgery demand in Q3 2026 as exchange coverage…

Oct 31, 2026

Health Policy·Fierce HC

Alignment Healthcare cuts 2026 outlook after claims and Stars pressure

Alignment Healthcare lowered 2026 guidance after claims volatility, higher catastrophic and skilled nursing costs, and weaker Medicare Advantage…

Oct 31, 2026

Health Policy·HC Dive

Tenet lifts 2026 outlook on high-acuity surgery growth in Q3

Tenet raised 2026 guidance after high-acuity surgeries helped offset weaker procedure volumes and rising uninsured pressure in the…

Oct 30, 2026

Health Policy·Fierce HC

Integrated pharmacy and medical benefits may lower employer costs

Employer plans that integrate pharmacy and medical claims may reduce ER use, inpatient costs and high-cost claimants while…

Oct 30, 2026

Health Policy·STAT

AI Medical Software Safety Needs New Regulation, Not Old Device Rules

A legal analysis argues that AI and machine learning medical software needs new safety regulation beyond device law…

Oct 30, 2026

Health Policy·Becker H

Penn State Health Epic Bonds Leave Capital Pipeline Intact, Facilities Leader Says

Penn State Health plans about $225 million in bonds for its Epic launch while keeping construction and expansion…

Oct 30, 2026

Health Policy

Clinical evidence, research, and medical intelligence in Health Policy.

In Brief The 5-minute rounds

New hypertension guideline lowers the treatment threshold to 130/80 mm Hg.
Phase 3 GLP-1 trial reports a 20% cut in major adverse cardiac events.
FDA clears a next-generation CAR-T therapy for relapsed lymphoma.
Meta-analysis links early mobilisation to shorter ICU length of stay.
Rapid guidance broadens empiric antibiotics for suspected sepsis.