08 Sep Health Data News Roundup: Lawmakers Question Healthcare AI; Health Plans Need Human Touch; and Unpacking Interoperability

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.

Lawmakers Ask: Is AI Going to Help or Hurt U.S. Healthcare?
Last week, the House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee opened the hearing, “Examining Opportunities to Advance American Health Care through the Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies,” which tackled AI challenges and opportunities, according to Medical Economics.

Can AI Really Bring Down Healthcare Costs?
While developing AI in healthcare requires significant up-front capital investment, the long-term potential for savings is significant — particularly when it comes to prevention and early detection, according to this TechRadar article.

Health Plans Need Human Touch to Boost Member Experience
Health plans need to focus on a humanized consumer experience in order to boost trust and, ultimately, member experience scores, according to a new assessment from healthcare experience advisory company Press Ganey, and covered by xtelligent Healthcare Payers.

Unpacking CMS’ Prior Authorization Rule on Interoperability
Payers and providers are on the clock to comply with federal interoperability rules designed to streamline prior authorization, and this recent Modern Healthcare article unpacks how much more work industry has to do.

Report: Medicare Advantage Risk Adjustment ‘a Failing System’
A group representing nonprofit health plans is raising concerns over what it claims is a wide variation in Medicare Advantage risk adjustment scores across insurers, leading to what it calls a “gaming” of MA payments to the benefit of for-profit insurers, according to Becker’s Payer Issues.

BCBS Wyoming Entering the Medicare Advantage Market
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is entering the Medicare Advantage market for 2026 coverage in an offering that will include both a Medicare-only option and plans that include Part D coverage, according to Becker’s Payer Issues.