The Latest from Vital Signs: Prior Authorization Reforms, Telehealth Benefits, and Primary Care Access

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.

Last month, the healthcare industry received good news out of Washington when multiple major U.S. health insurers agreed to reform their prior authorization practices. This is especially good to hear considering a survey conducted by Physicians Practice found that “dealing with payers” was the most frequently cited challenge by medical groups. The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) also shared good news: According to its survey of medical group owners, more than 50% of respondents said that their revenue is up this year compared to 2024.

Here’s a recap of everything we learned:

• According to Healthcare Dive, nearly 50 U.S. health insurers have agreed to reform their prior authorization policies, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Elevance and Humana.
• An MGMA survey of medical group owners revealed 56% of respondents reported their revenue is up compared to this time last year.
• A study out of Amsterdam found that virtual consultations were just as effective as in-person visits when preparing patients for surgeries, reinforcing the benefits of telehealth.
• A survey of medical groups conducted by Physicians Practice revealed that “dealing with payers” was the most frequently cited challenge among respondents, followed by staffing and cost increases.
• A recent survey on AI usage within healthcare settings revealed that healthcare workers are more likely to use generative AI tools at home than at work. Less than 50% of the respondents said that their workplaces were ready to address the ethical concerns associated with generative AI.
• Another MGMA survey found that 90% of medical groups reported increased operating costs in 2025—up, on average, 11.1%.
• According to recent data from the American Medical Association (AMA), not only has the number of physicians working for private practices significantly dropped over the last decade, but the number of physicians at smaller practices is also on the decline.
• Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that 44% of Virginia communities lack access to primary care providers (PCPs).

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.