In the first half of 2025, the healthcare sector experienced a significant decline in hospital mergers and acquisitions, with only 13 announced deals compared to 31 in the same period of the previous year. This slowdown is largely attributed to uncertainty stemming from political changes, prompting health systems to pause strategic planning. However, analysts predict that as clarity increases, merger activity may rise, particularly as hospitals face financial pressures from substantial Medicaid cuts projected to affect nearly 12 million Americans. This environment is pushing smaller or struggling facilities to seek partnerships with larger health systems as a survival strategy, reshaping the competitive landscape of healthcare.

Hospital Mergers Poised for Rebound Amid Political and Economic Shifts Chief Healthcare Executive

MaineHealth's virtual care team highlights the importance of a strategic approach to telemedicine, focusing on identifying patient care gaps that can be addressed through telehealth solutions. Leaders Elizabeth Mulcahy, DNP, and Dr. Tracy Jalbuena have identified key lessons, including the necessity of aligning telehealth initiatives with broader organizational goals and engaging multiple teams in the development process. This model has proven effective, as evidenced by their virtual walk-in service, which has assisted over 12,000 patients since March 2023 and alleviated pressure on primary care by freeing up more than 5,000 encounters. Such approaches emphasize the growing role of telehealth in enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to consider these strategies in future telemedicine implementations.

MaineHealth Innovates Telehealth to Bridge Care Gaps and Boost ROI Healthcare IT News

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has finalized rules designed to enhance electronic prescribing and prior authorization processes, mandating real-time prescription benefit checks at the point of care. Developed in collaboration with key health technology offices, these rules require the adoption of FHIR certification for prior authorization and aim to streamline administrative burdens on clinicians. By increasing transparency in drug costs and improving patient access to care, these changes are set to significantly impact health IT systems and the workflows of healthcare providers, beginning in 2027 with new reporting requirements for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability program. This move underscores the ongoing shift towards more efficient, technology-driven healthcare delivery.

HHS Finalizes Rules to Revolutionize Prescription and Prior Authorization Process Healthcare IT News

Alera Group, an Illinois-based insurance brokerage, has notified around 156,000 individuals that their protected health information was compromised in a data breach that occurred between July and August 2024, with notification delays extending into 2025. The unauthorized access to their IT environment exposed sensitive personal and medical data, including Social Security numbers and medical histories, raising concerns about compliance with HIPAA regulations. Regulatory attorney Aleksandra Vold emphasizes that lengthy review processes not only squander organizational resources but also elevate the risk of regulatory penalties and public distrust. This incident underscores the critical need for healthcare organizations to streamline breach response protocols and enhance their cybersecurity measures to protect patient information effectively.

Alera Group Data Breach Exposes 156,000 Health Records, Delays Notified BankInfoSecurity

In the first half of 2025, the healthcare sector experienced a significant decline in hospital mergers and acquisitions, with only 13 announced deals compared to 31 in the same period of the previous year. This slowdown is largely attributed to uncertainty stemming from political changes, prompting health systems to pause strategic planning. However, analysts predict that as clarity increases, merger activity may rise, particularly as hospitals face financial pressures from substantial Medicaid cuts projected to affect nearly 12 million Americans. This environment is pushing smaller or struggling facilities to seek partnerships with larger health systems as a survival strategy, reshaping the competitive landscape of healthcare.

Hospital Mergers Poised for Rebound Amid Political and Economic Shifts Chief Healthcare Executive

MaineHealth's virtual care team highlights the importance of a strategic approach to telemedicine, focusing on identifying patient care gaps that can be addressed through telehealth solutions. Leaders Elizabeth Mulcahy, DNP, and Dr. Tracy Jalbuena have identified key lessons, including the necessity of aligning telehealth initiatives with broader organizational goals and engaging multiple teams in the development process. This model has proven effective, as evidenced by their virtual walk-in service, which has assisted over 12,000 patients since March 2023 and alleviated pressure on primary care by freeing up more than 5,000 encounters. Such approaches emphasize the growing role of telehealth in enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency, making it crucial for healthcare professionals to consider these strategies in future telemedicine implementations.

MaineHealth Innovates Telehealth to Bridge Care Gaps and Boost ROI Healthcare IT News

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has finalized rules designed to enhance electronic prescribing and prior authorization processes, mandating real-time prescription benefit checks at the point of care. Developed in collaboration with key health technology offices, these rules require the adoption of FHIR certification for prior authorization and aim to streamline administrative burdens on clinicians. By increasing transparency in drug costs and improving patient access to care, these changes are set to significantly impact health IT systems and the workflows of healthcare providers, beginning in 2027 with new reporting requirements for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability program. This move underscores the ongoing shift towards more efficient, technology-driven healthcare delivery.

HHS Finalizes Rules to Revolutionize Prescription and Prior Authorization Process Healthcare IT News

Alera Group, an Illinois-based insurance brokerage, has notified around 156,000 individuals that their protected health information was compromised in a data breach that occurred between July and August 2024, with notification delays extending into 2025. The unauthorized access to their IT environment exposed sensitive personal and medical data, including Social Security numbers and medical histories, raising concerns about compliance with HIPAA regulations. Regulatory attorney Aleksandra Vold emphasizes that lengthy review processes not only squander organizational resources but also elevate the risk of regulatory penalties and public distrust. This incident underscores the critical need for healthcare organizations to streamline breach response protocols and enhance their cybersecurity measures to protect patient information effectively.

Alera Group Data Breach Exposes 156,000 Health Records, Delays Notified BankInfoSecurity