Looking Ahead: Key Insights from the HFMA Annual Conference
- Signature Performance
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
The HFMA Annual Conference brought together healthcare finance leaders from across the country to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the future of the industry. Through conversations with customers, partners, and peers, the Signature team gained valuable insights into the priorities driving healthcare organizations today. As the conversations continue beyond National Harbor, we're sharing some of our key takeaways and perspectives from this year's event.
David Isaacks, Chief Executive Officer
I left HFMA AC26 with a growing conviction that healthcare's biggest challenge is not a lack of good people, good intentions, or even good technology. Instead, it is the amount of administrative friction that exists between them. Whether the conversation was with providers, payers, technology companies, or consultants, the themes were remarkably consistent. Organizations are being asked to move faster, lower costs, improve outcomes, and enhance experiences while navigating increasing complexity.
What became clear throughout the conference is that the organizations that will distinguish themselves over the next decade will be those that simplify. They will find ways to eliminate unnecessary work, connect fragmented processes, and empower talented people to focus on the work that only humans can do. That challenge and opportunity were at the center of many conversations at HFMA and will continue to shape the future of healthcare.
Matt Leshy, Provider Practice Leader
One of my biggest takeaways from HFMA AC26 was the changing landscape of revenue cycle management, particularly in a technology-saturated environment where it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish meaningful innovation from noise. There was a strong sense that organizations are looking for trusted partners who can help navigate this complexity and provide practical, sustainable approaches to optimization rather than chasing every new tool.
I also heard a great deal about the importance of strategic partnerships built on shared goals, transparency, and deeper organizational alignment. Workforce availability remains a significant challenge, with some organizations operating in what could be described as "talent deserts," creating a need for more intentional workforce development and stronger collaboration with local educational institutions. In addition, many conversations centered on the balance between EHR-based automation and third-party solutions, as organizations weigh the speed and flexibility of external tools against the long-term scalability and integration benefits of more native approaches.
Chris Vairo, Chief Business Development Officer, Provider
Our experience at HFMA AC26 reinforced both the urgency and the opportunity facing healthcare finance leaders today. Conversations consistently centered on sustainability, how organizations are balancing margin pressure, workforce constraints, and rising complexity while still investing in technology, and patient-centric revenue cycle strategies. We had meaningful discussions with current clients, prospective partners, and industry peers that not only validated the relevance of our approach but also opened the door to several new opportunities, particularly with organizations seeking scalable, high-performing solutions to stabilize and optimize their revenue cycle operations. HFMA AC26 provided a strong foundation to extend the value of our Signature impact and allows us to continue the conversation around how we can help drive healthcare transformation.
Cindy Menne, SVP Advisory Growth
One of my biggest takeaways from HFMA AC26 was that healthcare organizations are looking for more than findings. They are looking for solutions. In conversations with hospital executives, I consistently heard the need for partners who can take a diagnostic approach to identify root causes while also delivering actionable recommendations and providing support through implementation. Leaders are increasingly seeking relationships that go beyond assessments and reports and instead help drive measurable, sustainable outcomes. These conversations reinforced that healthcare organizations value partners who can combine strategic insight with operational expertise. They also validated that Signature's methodology is aligned with where the industry is headed and the type of partnership healthcare leaders are looking for as they navigate ongoing challenges and transformation.
Brad Girsch, VP Business Development, Provider
One of my biggest takeaways from HFMA AC26 was the continued focus on mid-revenue cycle functions, including health information management (HIM), revenue integrity, and Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI), as significant opportunities for margin improvement. I also heard widespread concern about the growing volume of denials, with many organizations shifting their efforts from managing denials after the fact to preventing them altogether with more proactive strategies. AI adoption has clearly matured, with technologies like ambient listening now considered standard and expanding into coding and CDI workflows, although many leaders are still looking for proof of measurable financial impact. Overall, I left with the sense that healthcare organizations are actively searching for innovative ways to build the future revenue cycle while navigating a rapidly evolving and increasingly consolidated market.
Cathy Price, VP Business Development, Provider
My biggest takeaways from AC26 were the tremendous value of professional involvement beyond our day-to-day roles. HFMA continues to provide opportunities for growth through chapter leadership, regional collaboration, national engagement, certification, and education, all of which help build meaningful professional networks and open doors throughout the healthcare industry. The conference also highlighted the significant legislative and regulatory challenges facing healthcare organizations, particularly rural providers, and the importance of proactive strategies to remain sustainable in a rapidly changing environment.
While AI remains a major topic, the conversation is beginning to shift from what AI is today to where it is going and how healthcare leaders can leverage its next phase of growth. Discussions around workforce transformation and offshoring reflected the ongoing pressure organizations face as they seek to balance operational efficiency with rising costs and staffing challenges. Most importantly, AC26 reinforced that the relationships, ideas, and shared experiences gained through professional engagement remain some of the most valuable investments we can make in our careers and our industry.
Courtney Hewitt, VP Health Information Management
Attending HFMA AC26 reinforced how closely healthcare finance, revenue cycle, clinical operations, and technology must work together to support long-term financial sustainability. One of my biggest takeaways was that organizations are no longer looking at revenue cycle improvement as a back-end billing function. The most meaningful progress is happening when leaders address issues earlier in the process, particularly through stronger documentation, charge capture, coding accuracy, denial prevention, and cross-functional accountability.
Across conversations, there was significant focus on margin pressure, workforce constraints, regulatory complexity, and the need to do more with limited resources. These challenges are especially important for rural and community-based providers, where operational efficiency and revenue integrity can directly impact access to care. The conference also reinforced the growing role of AI; however, the strongest message for me, is that technology must be paired with sound processes, clear ownership, and measurable outcomes. For Signature Performance, this aligns closely with our continued focus on helping healthcare organizations build scalable, compliant, and sustainable revenue cycle operations.
Tom Nagy, VP Advisory
One of my key takeaways from HFMA AC26 was the continued shift toward AI-driven revenue cycle optimization. Conversations throughout the event centered on automation, workflow efficiency, and the growing role of AI-enabled capabilities in healthcare operations. Many organizations are navigating challenges related to the rapid pace of technological change, workforce pressures, compliance requirements, and broader financial strategies aimed at transforming and improving revenue cycle operations. I also observed increased discussion around sustainability, risk management, patient affordability, and the evolving future of value-based care.
Josh Robinson, Revenue Cycle Executive
One of my biggest takeaways from HFMA AC26 was the industry's shift from automation to autonomy. AI agents were front and center, and revenue cycle leaders are no longer impressed by incremental workflow improvements alone. Instead, they are looking for solutions that can own outcomes, reduce rework, and create more predictable financial performance. Conversations also revealed continued frustration with payer-related challenges, particularly denials, underpayments, and contract enforcement. Workforce stabilization remains a priority, but organizations are increasingly redesigning work so teams can focus on higher-value activities while AI manages repeatable, rules-based processes. Overall, there was significant interest in partners that can combine technology with operational expertise to deliver integrated, end-to-end solutions rather than isolated point products.
To learn more about our Signature Revenue Cycle Solutions visit us at: www.signatureperformance.com/provider