Articles by Industry Expert


A New Era, Few Guardrails: Strategies for Healthcare Leaders to Mitigate AI Risks Today

By Andrew Mahler – Imagine a large health system implementing an advanced AI-powered imaging tool designed to assist radiologists in identifying abnormalities in chest CT scans. The AI vendor’s marketing materials include data demonstrating faster turnaround times and reduced error rates, promising enhanced efficiency and accuracy.


A New Set of Indices to Measure Hospital Interoperability Progress

By Catherine Strawley & Jordan Everson – What’s in a number? A lot, it turns out, especially when it comes to measuring interoperability progress. For well over a decade, we have collaborated with federal and private sector partners on interoperability-related surveys to answer a big picture question: “how are we doing?”



A Closer Look at the HTI-4 Final Rule

By Mary Griskewicz – At its core, HTI-4 is about making prescribing and medication access more real-time, transparent, and aligned with patient needs. It updates health IT certification criteria in three key areas: electronic prescribing, real-time prescription benefit (RTPB), and electronic prior authorization (ePA).


Closing Gaps in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment with Integrated Care and Real-World Data

By Christie Teigland PhD – The CDC recently reported a nearly 30% decline in opioid-related deaths in 2024. It’s a promising milestone but it’s far from a full recovery. Our own research into opioid use disorder shows that the crisis is not over, as high hospitalization rates and persistent gaps in follow-up care continue to put patients at risk of potential overdose, and subsequently, death.



CMS Star Ratings: Keeping up with the 2026 Final Rule

By Marge Ciancetta – Among the most impactful changes released by CMS each year in the Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule are adjustments to the Star Ratings program. As a result of the most recently finalized changes, CMS projects a 0.69% decline in overall quality bonus payments for 2026.