By Beth Friedman, FACHDM, Sr. Partner, FINN Partners
LinkedIn: Beth Friedman
LinkedIn: FINN Partners
Host of FINN Voices
Health information (HI) professionals have been the recognized guardians of patient data accuracy since AHIMA’s founding in 1928. At this year’s AHIMA 2026 Conference in San Antonio, that timeless commitment to data quality and integrity echoed through every educational session and hallway conversation.
Today’s HI professionals are far from the medical record librarians of yesteryear. They are essential strategic partners in healthcare digitization and the safe, responsible adoption of AI. From clinical coding and revenue integrity to value-based care and federal policy, HI teams are transforming workflows while keeping accuracy front and center.
Here are my top five insights from AHIMA 2026.
Insight #1: Data Integrity Propels AI Success
High-quality, precise data is foundational for safe and effective healthcare AI. Angela Comfort, DBA, AVP of Revenue Integrity at Montefiore Medical Center, emphasized this during a panel on agentic AI: “We can’t have faulty AI information go into patient records.”
Because clinical coders and CDI teams regularly catch documentation errors, they are vital allies in helping IT teams identify and correct AI misinterpretations. Tech experts from MRO outlined three core criteria for evaluating AI solutions:
- Secure:Users retain system control while software operates within protected environments compliant with HIPAA, HITECH, HITRUST, 42 CFR Part 2, and SOC 2.
- Smart:Platforms must execute tasks accurately and continuously adapt within live clinical workflows and complex medical data.
- Scalable:Applications must handle diverse operations across enterprise volumes, such as release of information (ROI), clinical data abstraction and denials management.
I’ll add a critical fourth criterion: AI solutions must be built on high-quality data. Clean data drives better clinical and operational outcomes.
Insight #2: Federal Policy Shifts to Watch
During the Inside Congress panel, policy experts highlighted how upcoming congressional leadership shifts will influence digital health strategy. AHIMA is closely tracking six key legislative priorities:
- Developing AI Frameworks:Balance patient safety, data privacy, and technological innovation.
- Comprehensive Privacy:Address coverage gaps beyond HIPAA for consumer health apps and wearables.
- Cybersecurity Standards:Establish stronger legislative protections and enforcement.
- Interoperability:Expand initiatives that streamline data exchange and reduce redundant data entry.
- Patient Matching:Standardize demographic data to improve identity resolution. (Exhibitor e4health actively sponsors the MATCH IT Act alongside AHIMA to address this).
- State Law Patchworks:Navigate complex, state-specific rules on adolescent privacy, portal access, and consumer data rights.
Insight #3: Clinical Coding Evolves Alongside Automation
In a joint panel featuring Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and AKASA, leaders discussed the future of autonomous mid-revenue cycle operations. Dr. Nirav Kamdar, VP of Clinical Strategy at AKASA, demonstrated how easily human eyes miss vital documentation details. This is a challenge that grows as care complexity increases.
Industry leaders shared how coding roles are adapting:
Nick Judd, MBA, RHIA, Executive Director, HIM and Clinical Revenue Cycle Services, Cleveland Clinic
- Accuracy will improve over time as AI tools learn and evolve.
- Coding roles won’t be eliminated. Instead, they will transform as staff take on AI auditing and governance responsibilities.
- Tasks will be integrated in early the care process versus today’s labor-intensive retrospective model.
Stacy Bui, RHIA, Division Chair, Middle Revenue Cycle, Mayo Clinic
- Multiple tools will work together to aggregate the patient story for coders.
- Human-in-the-lead workflows ensure technology learns every time it interacts with a clinical coder.
- Upskill staff to operate at higher levels and focus on exception cases versus routine, uncomplicated ones.
According to JJ Melin, BSN, CDI Executive Director at Accuity Healthcare, “CDI and coding teams may worry about AI taking over their positions, but I don’t think that’s the case. AI can make the people doing this work superhuman, able to find more and do more with the same resources, but AI governance matters. Experienced CDI and coding professionals need to cross-check what the AI pinpoints to keep the results accurate.”
Staci Josten, RN, BSN, CCDS and Chief Operating Officer at e4health emphasized the need to keep humans in the lead, ensure quality with every AI implementation, and create new workflow efficiencies across clinical coding and CDI teams. Josten’s in-booth conversations with attendees focused on how jobs will always evolve and professionals will continually learn. Human checks and balances in coding and CDI remain essential even as AI moves quickly ahead.
Insight #4: Countering Payer AI Denials
Dawn Crump, MA, VP of Revenue Integrity Solutions at MRO, noted that payers increasingly use AI to issue claims denials in just seconds, whereas provider teams often take days or weeks to process a single appeal.
To bridge this gap, MRO deploys AI-assisted workflows to accelerate appeals. Early results show an 80% success rate (double the industry baseline of 40–50%) and 5x faster processing times. The average mid-sized hospital is about to recover an estimated $1.5 million annually using AI in the appeals process.
Insight #5: Collaboration Across the Health IT Ecosystem
Having been associated with AHIMA for 45 years, starting as a clinical coder in 1981, I’ve watched HI professionals flex, adapt, and lead through every wave of change. The year ahead is no different.
Reflecting on market shifts, Stacey Sexton, VP of HIM Services at TruBridge, noted: “HI professionals are a family dedicated to keeping accuracy, integrity, and compassion at the forefront as the industry expands and AI solutions mature.”
Her colleague, Susan McGrogan, MBA, SVP at IKS Health (which recently acquired TruBridge), offered advice for health IT executives: “Success in health tech relies on people, expertise, and how different segments of the ecosystem support one another.” She emphasized that long-term value follows when organizations treat customers well, empower employees, and strive for operational excellence.
Looking Ahead: Phoenix 2027
AHIMA will launch its Centennial Celebration next September at the AHIMA 2027 conference in Phoenix, Arizona, marking 100 years of advancing health information. As data governance, role evolution, and AI maturity remain top priorities, HI professionals stand well-prepared to partner with health system leaders and guide the industry through its next century. See you in Phoenix!