The Latest from Vital Signs: Top Priorities for Practice Leaders, Medical School Enrollment Reaches Record Levels, and the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule

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.

In the weeks leading up to 2026, a survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) found that the top priorities for practice leaders this year vary significantly. According to the survey findings, 27% of practice leaders said that they are prioritizing no-show rates, while 24% said online scheduling is their top priority. Meanwhile, Medical Economics reported that enrollment in U.S. medical schools reached an all-time high last year. Healthcare Dive offered a comprehensive overview of the 2026 Physician Fee Schedule, and Medical Economics provided an insightful guide on the latest telehealth payment flexibilities.

Here’s a recap of everything we learned:

• MGMA reported that the top priorities for medical group leaders are split between improving no-show rates, online scheduling, phone access, and wait times.
• Another MGMA report revealed the APP-to-doctor ratio has increased for nearly 50% of the medical group leaders surveyed by the association.
• Physicians Practice shared a helpful slideshow highlighting 11 commonly overlooked medical billing codes that could positively impact a private practice’s financial health.
• A report from Medical Economics confirmed that the University of Maryland School of Medicine will gradually increase class sizes to address physician shortages over the coming decades.
• Medical Economics also reported that enrollment in U.S. medical schools surpassed a record 100,000 students in 2025 based on data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
• The American Medical Association (AMA) shared survey findings showing family medicine tops the list of most in-demand specialties among medical students, followed by: anesthesiology, internal medicine, radiology, and gastroenterology.
• According to Healthcare Dive, the CMS 2026 physician fee schedule reduces payment amounts for specialists, while boosting primary care reimbursement payments.
• Healthcare Dive also reported on a study that revealed only 41% of rural hospitals still offer labor and delivery services, with 116 facilities shuttering their maternity units since 2020.
• Medical Economics offered an insightful guide on the latest telehealth payment flexibilities to help providers plan for 2026.
• Another report from Medical Economics revealed that compensation ranges for rural primary care physicians are narrowing, but provider salaries at rural hospitals continue to be misaligned with best practices. 

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.