Here are five urgent questions that will determine revenue cycle strategy in 2026, from the rise of autonomous AI to the end of the post-service bill.
With payer denials rising and the regulatory landscape shifting, revenue cycle leaders will have a lot to think about in the year to come. From workforce automation to cash flow protection, here are the five questions that could guide revenue cycle decisions in the near term.
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Luke Gale is the revenue cycle editor for HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Leaders must shift from appealing denials to a focus on prevention.
Agentic AI will increasingly be deployed to handle routine tasks and deliver immediate efficiencies.
Regulatory pressure is forcing a retail model where payment is secured before care begins.