3 predictions that transcend provider type

by: Julia Kyles, CPC Jan 5, 2026

You might think your practice has little in common with Medicare Part A providers such as home health care agencies. But Home Health Line, a sibling publication of Part B News, shared three predictions that show health care providers face some universal changes and challenges in the new year.

The following are three predictions that bridge health care settings:

The effects of the latest government shutdown will continue into the new year, predicts Hillary Loeffler, vice president of policy and regulatory affairs, National Alliance for Care at Home. Providers “may see slower issuance of operational guidance from CMS, which can create uncertainty well into next year,” she says. In addition, “updates or policy clarifications that normally roll out in an orderly fashion may be disrupted,” she says.
“New technologies will help providers recognize issues sooner, guide more purposeful in-person care, and support better overall outcomes,” Loeffler predicts.
Loeffler also believes that artificial intelligence (AI) will “help providers streamline documentation, update care plans, and support family communication, hopefully shifting clinician time back to direct care.”

Check out the full slate of 2026 predictions for medical practices (subscription required) contained in the Jan. 5 edition of Part B News.

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