PYA Webinar Recast

This episode examines key policy, payment, and program changes shaping rural healthcare in 2026. PYA Principals Martie Ross and Kathy Reep discuss major federal initiatives affecting rural providers, including the Rural Health Transformation Program, Medicare telehealth policy, and Medicaid developments. The session also addresses Medicare Advantage oversight, 340B drug program compliance, price transparency requirements, and emerging alternative payment models. Throughout the discussion, the presenters highlight practical implications for rural hospitals and health systems as they plan for regulatory and reimbursement changes in the year ahead.

Presented by Martie Ross and Kathy Reep on January 15, 2026.

Key topics include:

• The Rural Health Transformation Program
• Medicare telehealth updates
• Medicare Advantage reforms
• 340B drug program requirements
• Hospital price transparency
• Evolving alternative payment models

The session provides context and planning considerations for rural organizations navigating a complex regulatory environment.

This episode of PYA's Healthcare Regulatory Roundup continues a two-part discussion on the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule, with a focus on telehealth, global payment reforms, and skin substitutes. The conversation walks through what stays in place for telehealth, including face-to-face visit requirements, and highlights new codes related to telebehavioral health and global surgery indicators.

The episode also examines changes to global payment methodologies and post-operative care valuation, along with a major shift in how skin substitutes will be paid under Medicare. Additional updates include new care management codes for behavioral health integration and remote monitoring, as well as the extension of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program's virtual option through 2029.

Presented by Valerie Rock and Martie Ross on December 10, 2025.

Topics Covered:

• Telehealth
• Global Payments
• Skin Substitutes
• Care Management
• Prevention and Wellness

This episode of PYA's Healthcare Regulatory Roundup examines the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule and its impact on physician reimbursement, payment calculations, and quality reporting. The discussion covers updates to the conversion factor under MACRA, budget neutrality adjustments, new efficiency adjustments affecting work RVUs, and revisions to the practice expense methodology.The presenters also review finalized changes to MIPS quality, cost, and interoperability requirements, along with the introduction of the mandatory Ambulatory Specialty Model beginning in 2027. The episode concludes with considerations for physician practices and healthcare organizations as they evaluate compliance obligations and reimbursement impacts under the final rule.

Presented by Martie Ross, Sarah Bowman, and Lori Foley on December 3, 2025.

Topics Covered:

• 2026 Payment Rate/Conversion Factor
• Efficiency Adjustment
• Practice Expense Methodology
• Ambulatory Specialty Model (new mandatory alternative payment model)
• Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)
• Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rule. In this webinar, Martie Ross and Kathy Reep discussed key provisions of the 2026 Hospital OPPS final rule and related developments. Attendees will gain knowledge from these learning objectives:

• Details of 2026 OPPS final rule
• Developments in care for end-stage renal disease
• Status update on home health final rules
• Information about payment updates
• Actions on site neutrality
• Changes to the 340B Drug Program
• Aspects of the inpatient-only list
• Updates about price transparency

This webinar is part of PYA's twice-monthly Healthcare Regulatory Roundup, a popular series during which PYA experts provide practical insights on the latest industry regulatory developments. For more than 40 years, PYA has been committed to regulatory compliance and helping healthcare organizations create attainable compliance programs while mitigating risks.

A strong compliance program begins with a clear understanding of organizational risks. This webinar guides you through the purpose, process, and practical application of conducting a compliance risk assessment—and how to transform the findings into a robust annual framework.

During this webinar, PYA Principals Shannon Sumner and Rhonda Buckholtz explained the importance of effective risk assessments and how to incorporate them into your annual plan.

Shannon and Rhonda addressed the following objectives:

• Defining the role of risk assessments.
• Identifying common risk areas.
• Applying a structured methodology.
• Demonstrating documentation practices for key stakeholders.
• Incorporating ongoing monitoring and feedback loops to update risk assessments.

RELATED LINKS:

• U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs
• OIG General Compliance Program Guidance
• COSO ERM Framework

*This recording was updated on February 11, 2026 to fix an audio issue. The edit is technical only and does not impact the content of the webinar.

On October 1 — the first day of the new federal fiscal year — PYA's Martie Ross and Kathy Reep provided a timely update on federal policy developments shaping healthcare. They reviewed the latest actions from Congress and federal agencies, focusing on issues that have a direct impact on providers and healthcare organizations.

Key topics for discussion included:

• Federal FY 2026 discretionary spending and government shutdown risk
• Calendar Year 2026 Medicare sequestration status
• Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity and deadlines
• Congressional hearings on tax-exempt hospitals
• New visa application fees and implications for healthcare

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued draft guidance to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in medical devices. As AI becomes embedded in connected health technologies, the cybersecurity risks associated with such devices are growing exponentially.

This webinar explores how the FDA's lifecycle-based approach to AI regulation intersects with cybersecurity for connected medical devices. Principals Barry Mathis and John Cross provided an overview of the FDA's draft guidance on AI/ML-enabled medical devices and discussed how cybersecurity risks in the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) can be addressed.

Attendees gained knowledge through these learning objectives:

• Learn about AI and its use cases, including use in embedded medical devices
• Understand the FDA's Total Product Lifecycle approach to regulating AI/ML-enabled medical devices
• Identify cybersecurity risks unique to IoMT devices
• Analyze a real-world case study of an AI-enabled insulin pump and its cybersecurity implications
• Apply compliance strategies, including Secure Product Development Frameworks and Software Bill of Materials, to meet FDA expectations

This webinar is part of PYA's twice-monthly Healthcare Regulatory Roundup, a popular series during which PYA experts provide practical insights on the latest industry regulatory developments.

PYA is dedicated to helping healthcare organizations understand regulatory requirements and prepare for and respond to cybersecurity threats.

On July 31, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued both the 2026 Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS) and the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) PPS final rules. PYA's Martie Ross and Kathy Reep discussed several key provisions, including:

• Payment rate increases for inpatient acute facilities, long-term care hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities
• Revisions to the mandatory Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM)
• Changes to the wage index and related policies
• Updates to the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting program
• Changes to the Hospital Readmissions and Hospital-Acquired Conditions Reduction programs, as well as the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing program
• Revisions to the Promoting Interoperability program

Martie and Kathy also addressed key provisions in the 2026 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility and Inpatient Psychiatric Facility final rules issued by CMS on August 1.

On August 27, PYA's twice-monthly Healthcare Regulatory Roundup (HCRR) celebrated its 100th webinar in the series. Beginning with the first webinar in 2021, PYA experts have reliably provided practical insights on the latest industry regulatory developments. Thank you for your support of this sentinel series.

PYA is dedicated to helping healthcare organizations understand and comply with legislative and regulatory impacts. Contact Martie, Kathy, or any of our experts for assistance.

On July 14, CMS released the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (MPFS). The proposed rule includes several significant policy changes that could impact physicians for years to come. During this two-part webinar series, PYA experts went deep into these changes to help you understand and prepare for what's coming next.

Presented August 13, 2025, by Valerie Rock and Martie Ross

Topics:

• Telehealth
• Global Payments
• Skin Substitutes
• Care Management
• Prevention and Wellness

The popular twice-monthly PYA Healthcare Regulatory Roundup provides practical insights on the latest industry regulatory developments.

PYA helps healthcare leaders with legislative and regulatory impacts and matters involving compliance, valuation, strategy, and transactions.

On July 14, CMS released the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (MPFS). The proposed rule includes several significant policy changes that could impact physicians for years to come. During this two-part webinar series, PYA experts will go deep into these changes to help you understand and prepare for what's coming next.

Presented July 30, 2025, by Martie Ross, Sarah Bowman, and Lori Foley

Topics Covered:

• 2026 Payment Rate/Conversion Factor
• Efficiency Adjustment
• Practice Expense Methodology
• Ambulatory Specialty Model (new mandatory alternative payment model)
• Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)
• Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP)