Federal, state investigators scrutinize Epic’s alleged anticompetitive practices

The Federal Trade Commission is conducting a broad inquiry into Epic Systems’ business practices, according to individuals contacted by investigators. STAT reports that FTC officials have reached out to at least four people in recent months, signaling intensified scrutiny of the nation’s largest electronic health record vendor. This federal probe adds to existing antitrust questions raised by state investigators, marking a significant escalation in regulatory pressure. The inquiries reflect growing concern over Epic’s market dominance and operational methods. As both federal and state authorities examine the company’s conduct, the situation underscores increasing legal risks for the healthcare software giant.

Fifth Circuit strikes down No Surprises billing benchmark in major win for providers

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the government’s methodology for calculating the qualifying payment amount under the No Surprises Act on Tuesday. The ruling favors providers by invalidating how insurers determine the qualifying payment amount, a metric representing average in-network rates for a service in a particular geographic area. The court found the government’s calculation partly unlawful, prohibiting the use of “ghost rates” or the exclusion of bonus payments. This decision is a blow for insurers, as it is set to further inflate payouts to providers.

Allina Health’s AI system drives $7.3M in added annual surgical contribution margin

Allina Health generated $7.3 million in added annual surgical contribution margin through its AI operating system. The Minneapolis-based not-for-profit system avoided the common pitfall of abandoning pilots by proving value in a single department. This convincing success drove demand from surgeons, schedulers, and IT leaders for subsequent deployments. Most health systems struggle to scale beyond narrow initial use cases. Allina Health executed this strategy deliberately, moving from a focused pilot to broader operational integration. The financial result demonstrates that rigorous proof of value in one area can unlock system-wide adoption and significant revenue growth.

CHAI creates work group to counter frontier AI cybersecurity risks

The Coalition for Health AI convened a work group of nearly 100 health system, payer, and industry leaders to address cyber risks associated with frontier artificial intelligence models. The nonprofit standards organization announced the initiative on Wednesday, aiming to help organizations navigate this new reality. Their deliverables include an AI cyber risk assessment tool and playbooks covering both defensive and offensive security strategies. This guidance seeks to standardize protections against the escalating vulnerabilities introduced by powerful frontier AI systems within the healthcare sector.

55 hospital and health system CISOs and chief privacy officers to know

Becker’s Hospital Review has identified 55 hospital and health system CISOs and chief privacy officers as critical figures in defending against cyberattacks. These leaders protect patient safety, institutional trust, and the integrity of care. The publication highlights these professionals as essential assets in an industry where data breaches pose significant threats. This recognition underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity roles within healthcare administration. The list spotlights the individuals charged with defending against cyberattacks. Their work ensures that healthcare institutions maintain operational resilience. These roles have become among the most critical in any hospital or health system. The industry relies on their expertise to navigate increasing digital risks.

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