HIT Consultant
Full article on: HIT Consultant
By: Fred Pennic
As we peer into the healthcare horizon of 2026, a singular theme crystallizes among industry leaders: the transition from aspirational innovation to operational necessity. The executive predictions for the coming year depict a sector at a critical inflection point, where financial survival dictates that technology must evolve from fragmented point solutions into orchestrated, interoperable ecosystems.
The narrative has shifted from the mere adoption of AI to a rigorous demand for “glass-box” transparency, measurable accuracy over speed, and the seamless integration of legacy and modern infrastructures to thwart escalating cyber threats. Amidst geopolitical supply chain shifts and the crushing weight of administrative burdens, the industry’s mandate is clear: dismantle the silos between payers, providers, and patients to prioritize equity, enforce fiscal discipline, and ensure that digital transformation finally translates into tangible, human-centric care.
Cathy Hartman, Chief Healthcare Solutions Officer at Paradigm
“As we look ahead to 2026, AI has the potential to become another source of digital inequity that exacerbates health disparities. The stakes are higher than ever – for example, surgery decisions are among the most complex and costly choices members face, and low health literacy often leads to unnecessary procedures and poorer outcomes. Empowered members, who understand their options and actively participate in shared decision-making, are more likely to avoid inappropriate surgeries, follow pre- and post-op instructions, and recover faster. As payers continue to feel the regulatory and provider pressures around legacy UM tactics like prior authorization, the introduction of solutions that directly impact health literacy and drive collaboration with providers continue to gain attention.”
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