The Latest from Vital Signs: New AI Adoption Plan Updates from HHS, CMS Launches ACCESS & Physician Survey Findings from the American Medical Association

Vital Signs is a monthly newsletter from AdvancedMD highlighting the healthcare industry’s top trends and insights. It’s our way of helping you stay informed.

The healthcare industry has been busy this summer. Healthcare Dive shared an update from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on its plans to accelerate the adoption of AI in clinical care, while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched ACCESS, a new care model that expands provision of digital health tools for Medicare patients. Meanwhile, the American Medical Association (AMA) revealed nearly 80% of physicians said there are clinical advantages to using data from consumer health-tracking devices, but only 6% of the physicians had the ability to integrate the data into their clinical workflows.

Here’s a recap of everything we learned:

• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided an update on its plans to help accelerate the adoption of AI in clinical care. According to Healthcare Dive, “The industry wants coordination across HHS agencies, support in AI implementation and governance, and assistance in determining what makes a good AI tool.”
• Research from the AMA revealed nearly 80% of U.S. physicians reported at least some clinical advantages to using data from consumer health-tracking devices (Apple Watches, Oura Rings, etc.), but only 6% of the physicians reported that such wearable data was integrated into their clinical workflows.
• A survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults revealed nearly half of the respondents had used an AI platform for medical advice. Among respondents who used AI, 63% said they acted on the advice without consulting a doctor.
• Salary data from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) shows the median total compensation for more than half of 18 core medical practice support and clinical roles declined last year, but still remains “far higher” than they were five years ago: “Median total compensation rose for eight of the 18 core benchmarked roles last year and fell in 10, yet pay climbed over the past five years in 17 of those 18 roles,” according to Physicians Practice.
• The CMS launched ACCESS, a care model aimed at expanding provision of digital health tools for Medicare patients managing chronic conditions. The AMA reported nearly 200 organizations are participating in the initiative, providing technology-based services to Medicare patients with hypertension, prediabetes, chronic kidney disease, musculoskeletal pain, depression, or other chronic conditions.
• A recent survey of more than 390,000 U.S. adults revealed “potential side effects” was a top factor when making decisions about medical treatments, followed by whether or not the treatment was covered by insurance, prescription prices, and overall cost of care.
• A study analyzing the impact of virtual care revealed more than 70% of neurology, mental health, OB-GYN, and cardiology patients would have delayed or skipped care entirely without a virtual option. “For physicians weighing how much clinical real estate to hand over to virtual encounters, the numbers offer a fairly clear signal: virtual care has become a genuine access mechanism for several high-acuity specialties,” writes Medical Economics staff.
• Physicians Practice shared five key metrics practice leaders should pay close attention to throughout the rest of the year to end 2026 on a positive note, starting with the number of days bills remain in accounts receivable: “It is the clearest read on how fast your practice turns work into cash.”
• An MGMA survey of practice leaders discovered nearly half (46%) reported their new patient wait times have not changed this year compared to 2025. Meanwhile, 22% reported shorter wait times and 28% said their wait times are longer.
• A report from Healthcare Dive outlined a new reimbursement rule proposed by the CMS that translates to lower pay for physicians billing Medicare next year: “The rule also includes other pay changes that the CMS said would help shift the health system from treatment to prevention and preserve the insurance program’s long-term sustainability.”
• A Medical Economics report emphasized the impact of overhead expenses for practice owners, highlighting how costs associated with staff salaries and benefits, leasing fees, medical supplies, and insurance can account for as much as 60% of a practice’s revenue. The publication shared tips to help practice leaders keep overhead costs in check without sacrificing patient care, including: “Go paperless and cut supply waste.”
• The CMS released its updated list of ICD-10 codes for fiscal year 2027 that go into effect October 1 of this year. Physicians Practice reported the updates include 238 new codes and four revised codes. Twenty-one of the previous codes have been deleted.
• To ensure the revenue side of a private practice runs smoothly, the AMA listed three key areas that require immediate and sustained attention: navigating the insurance maze; getting coding correct; and knowing how to collect payment. The association offers a comprehensive library of revenue cycle management resources and in-person events.

Vital Signs is brought to you by AdvancedMD. It’s our way of helping you stay informed on the trends and insights that shape our industry. Each month, we publish a roundup of healthcare headlines so that you are in-the-know when it comes to the topics that matter most to you, your staff, and your patients.