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Alabama Medicaid Updates EPSDT Screening Schedule

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The Alabama Medicaid Agency has updated its Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) periodicity schedule for services provided on or after Oct. 1, 2025. The changes align with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Bright Futures guidelines and add well-child visits at 3–5 days of age and 30 months, along with hearing, vision, and developmental screenings. The updated schedule includes visits at 3–5 days, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, and 30 months, followed by annual…
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CMS Releases Final HCPCS Level II Coding Determinations for B1 2026

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CMS has released the final HCPCS Level II coding determinations for the First Biannual 2026 (B1 2026) cycle covering non-drug and non-biological items and services. The release includes decisions on new and revised HCPCS codes, along with information on Medicare benefit categories and payment determinations. For each application, CMS provides details on the request, preliminary decisions, public feedback, and the final coding, benefit category, and payment determinations. Providers and billing professionals can review the complete B1 2026 determinations…
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Humana Expands Prior Authorization Tools for Diagnostic Imaging

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Starting Jan. 1, 2026, CMS requires health plans to provide decisions on standard prior authorization requests within 7 days, making complete documentation at the time of submission especially important. Humana providers submitting outpatient Medicare prior authorization requests through Availity Essentials must include the supporting clinical documentation with their request, although some exceptions may apply. Humana has also introduced an enhanced prior authorization workflow through Availity Essentials for diagnostic imaging in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The updated process is designed…
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Seven Alabama Hospitals Recognized Among the Best Regional Hospitals

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U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026–27 Best Regional Hospitals rankings, with seven Alabama hospitals earning recognition for their overall performance and specialty care. UAB Hospital ranked No. 1 in Alabama, receiving national recognition in two adult specialties and high-performing ratings in 18 procedures and conditions. UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham ranked No. 2 statewide, with nine high-performing adult procedures and conditions. Children’s Hospital of Alabama was also recognized as the top children’s hospital in the state, earning…
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Lawsuits Raise Questions About AI Accountability in Healthcare

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As artificial intelligence becomes more common in healthcare, several lawsuits are testing who may be responsible when AI is involved in decisions or guidance related to patient care, insurance coverage and clinical operations. Becker’s highlighted three cases that illustrate some of the legal and compliance questions emerging around healthcare AI: Resource: 4 lawsuits testing where AI accountability lands in healthcare

ANA Recognizes New Nursing Specialties as the Profession Expands

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The American Nurses Association (ANA) has formally recognized several new nursing specialties in recent years, reflecting the growing need for specialized knowledge and skills across healthcare. ANA recognition establishes a defined scope of practice and standards for each specialty, which can help guide education, credentialing and staffing. The newest specialties recognized by ANA include: The development of these specialties reflects a broader shift toward formalizing specialized nursing expertise and creating clearer standards for training, credentialing and practice….
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Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome Diagnoses Rise as New Code Improves Tracking

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Emergency department diagnoses of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) have increased as healthcare providers gain a more accurate way to identify and track the condition. CHS can cause recurring nausea, severe vomiting and abdominal pain and is most commonly associated with frequent cannabis use. According to a recent CDC report, emergency department diagnoses increased after a dedicated ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome was introduced last fall. Researchers noted that the condition may have been underrecognized in the past…
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CPT 2027 Maternity Care Codes: Key Changes, Industry Debate, and Coding Impact

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Major CPT Changes Coming to Maternity Care in 2027 Beginning January 1, 2027, significant changes to CPT maternity care coding will change how obstetric services are reported. The long-standing global maternity care model is being replaced with more detailed reporting by antepartum care, labor management, delivery and postpartum care. What’s Changing? What Practices Should Do Now The changes will require practices to take a closer look at their documentation, coding, charge capture and revenue cycle processes before 2027. Practices…
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Hospitals Continue to Reduce or End Certain Services

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Healthcare organizations across the country are closing departments or discontinuing services as they respond to financial pressures, staffing challenges and changes in patient demand. Becker’s recently highlighted dozens of hospital service changes, including several affecting labor and delivery and pediatric care: These changes reflect broader challenges hospitals are facing as they balance financial sustainability, workforce availability and demand for healthcare services. Resource: 49 hospitals closing departments or ending services

Health Insurers Ranked by Q2 2026 Profits

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The nation’s largest health insurers reported their second-quarter 2026 earnings between mid-July and early August, with five of the six major insurers reporting higher profits compared with the same period last year. Here’s how they ranked by Q2 profit: UnitedHealth Group ranked first by Q2 profit and also moved up to become the fourth-largest company globally on the Fortune Global 500 list. Elevance Health was the only insurer among the six to report a year-over-year decline in…
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10 Nurse Practitioner Compensation Stats to Know in 2026

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Nurse practitioner compensation continues to grow, with the average annual salary reaching more than $137,000 and seven specialties now averaging at least $150,000. Becker’s Physician Leadership highlighted these 10 compensation trends for 2026: The data provides a snapshot of how NP compensation varies by location, specialty and industry, giving healthcare organizations additional context when evaluating workforce and compensation trends. Resource: 10 stats on nurse practitioner pay to know in 2026 

Stark Law vs. the Shift Toward Value-Based Care

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As healthcare moves further toward value-based care, physician leaders are questioning whether the Stark Law, which was designed around a traditional fee-for-service system, still fits the way care is delivered and reimbursed today. Becker’s highlighted five physician perspectives on the issue: Resource: Stark law vs. the value-based care transition