20 Oct Health Data News Roundup: Healthcare AI Arms Race; Safe AI for Healthcare; and 2026 MA Star Ratings

Welcome to the Health Data Weekly News Roundup from IMAT Solutions. As the power of data continues to grow in the healthcare arena, today’s care organizations need to be on the forefront of all news and trends to help ensure that their data analytics efforts deliver accountable and informed care. Each week, we will provide you with the actionable news you need to meet these goals.

The Payer-Provider AI Arms Race
Data is power in the provider-payer “AI arms race,” says Christina Slemp of UNC Health, who explains how providers can use their own analytics to challenge payer tactics and drive contract negotiations, in this recent Health Leaders video interview.

A Roadmap for Safer and More Effective AI in Healthcare
The health care sector should responsibly seize the opportunities of AI, including what must change to ensure AI adoption improves patient outcomes, not just efficiency, according to a new JAMA report.

With Trust Low and Costs High, Do Payers Stand to Lose Members?
Health insurance companies could be at risk of losing members in the near future — especially those younger, healthier members who balance out their risk pools — which could be a recipe for disaster as payers contend with mounting prices and consumer trust problems, according to Health Payer Intelligence.

2026 MA Star Ratings: Aetna, Humana See Scores decline; UnitedHealthcare Improves
The Trump administration has officially released the data on the 2026 Star Ratings for Medicare Advantage, and multiple leading payers have slipped this year amid more stringent requirements, according to Fierce Healthcare.

Healthcare’s Data-Sharing Dilemmas Hinder Interoperability, Experts Say
Healthcare leaders have long envisioned a world in which patient information flows seamlessly across platforms. Yet despite decades of investment, that interoperability remains elusive, according to Newsweek.

Alignment, Intermountain Partner on Medicare Advantage Plan
Alignment Health Plan and Intermountain Health have launched a Medicare Advantage plan for older people in Nevada, and it will include benefits like transportation to medical visits, allowances for independent living and caregiver reimbursement support, according to Becker’s Payer Issues.