Samwise Healthcare IT Newsletter
Monday, August 24, 2026
AnMed confirms data theft in cyber incident
Anderson, S.C.-based AnMed confirmed Aug. 21 that cybercriminals stole information from the health system during the cyber incident it first disclosed July 26. CEO William Kenley released a video statement acknowledging the theft while noting that AnMed will conduct an independent review rather than rely on attackers' claims — including an Aug. 11 post on the health system's hacked Facebook page asserting six terabytes were taken. AnMed warned that attackers may try to publish stolen data or contact patients and employees directly. The health system said phone service and EHR access have been restored, as has MyChart, which came back online Aug. 12.
Sources: Becker's Hospital Review
21 health systems warn of MyChart ‘Medicare Kit’ scam
Fraudulent emails and texts impersonating Epic's MyChart patient portal are targeting patients at health systems nationwide, using subject lines such as 'Your MyChart Medicare Kit Awaits!' to lure recipients into clicking malicious links or surrendering personal information. At least 21 health systems — including Sentara Health, MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic, and UMass Memorial Health — issued warnings as of Aug. 21. Epic's Trevor Berceau attributed the wave to scammers exploiting the MyChart brand rather than any platform security flaw, saying patients can continue to use MyChart as normal. Organizations advise deleting suspicious messages without clicking links and reporting direct threats to law enforcement.
Sources: Becker's Hospital Review
Hospitals warn staff: That Microsoft Teams ‘IT’ call might be a scam
Nebraska Medicine on Aug. 21 warned employees that bad actors are using Microsoft Teams voice calls to impersonate IT support staff — the latest in a string of similar hospital alerts. The Omaha-based health system said attackers claim computers have been compromised or passwords need urgent resets, then pressure staff to approve multifactor authentication requests, install remote access software, or hand over credentials. The FBI issued an alert in May linking the tactic to the Silent Ransom Group, which has targeted healthcare since at least 2022. Cybersecurity firm Sophos documented a related campaign in which one intrusion escalated to ransomware deployment in under 17 hours.
Sources: Becker's Hospital Review
Epic launches real-time prior authorization at four health systems
Epic has activated real-time prior authorization at four health systems — Ochsner Health, Froedtert ThedaCare Health, Denver Health, and Summit Health — using a Coverage Requirements Discovery API that checks authorization requirements directly with payers including UnitedHealthcare, Network Health, and Aetna during patient encounters. Sixteen additional payers are in testing. The four sites are meeting a Jan. 1, 2027 federal interoperability mandate five months ahead of the deadline. A KFF analysis found insurers denied 12 to 18 percent of prior authorization requests in 2025, underscoring the administrative burden the tool aims to reduce. Epic reported the launch Aug. 21.
Sources: Healthcare Finance News
Summa Health's General Catalyst deal: 5 updates
Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health named its first permanent CEO since General Catalyst's HATCo completed a $485 million acquisition in October 2025: Jennifer Eslinger, previously president and COO of Rochester Regional Health, effective Sept. 21. On Aug. 19, Summa announced its first roster of eight AI transformation vendors — including Aidoc, Commure, Hippocratic AI, and Transcarent — spanning diagnostic imaging AI, ambient documentation, revenue cycle automation, and care navigation, with General Catalyst-backed Percepta building a Health System Command Center to integrate all eight tools. The deal converts Summa from nonprofit to for-profit and required Ohio Attorney General conditional approval in June 2025.
Sources: Becker's Hospital Review
Rural hospitals face high stakes in allocating AI investments
Rural hospitals face mounting pressure to invest in artificial intelligence even as they confront closure risks from potential Medicaid cuts under the pending federal budget reconciliation bill, according to BRG's Julia Clark. Clark recommends rural facilities start with lower-risk, high-return applications — revenue cycle automation and ambient clinical documentation — before expanding AI deployment. Broadband access gaps and persistent workforce shortages are primary barriers keeping many rural hospitals from capturing AI's potential benefits. With thin margins and uncertain federal funding, Clark argues rural hospital executives must weigh AI investment choices carefully, prioritizing tools with clear near-term value over emerging or experimental applications.
Sources: Healthcare IT News
Epic welcomes 12 new health systems as EHR switching slows
Epic welcomed 12 new U.S. hospitals and health systems at its annual Users Group Meeting in Verona, Wis. — down from 28 in 2025 and 19 in 2024. The company now holds 43.7% of the U.S. acute care hospital EHR market, up from 31% in 2021, but KLAS Research data show last year marked its slowest share-growth pace in five years. Only two large health systems made enterprisewide EHR switches in 2025; both chose Epic. New customers include Moffitt Cancer Center, Westchester Medical Center Health Network, and Nicklaus Children's Hospital, with several replacing Oracle Health. Epic also announced first hospital customers in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia.
Sources: Becker's Hospital Review
‘BFFs’ and budgets: Inside health systems’ Epic relationships
Epic accounts for 43.7% of the U.S. acute care hospital EHR market and 56.9% of hospital beds as of 2025, and health system leaders say managing the platform requires close, ongoing vendor collaboration. Leaders at Corewell Health, Parkview Health, UMass Memorial Health, and Montefiore Einstein described relationships that include designated BFF contacts, regular executive meetings, and direct developer access. Corewell's chief digital and information officer recounted Epic dispatching 25 developers on a day's notice to resolve go-live issues. With Epic planning more than 150 AI features in 2026 and shifting toward token-based AI pricing by 2027, health systems say budget forecasting has grown more complex.
Sources: Becker's Hospital Review
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