Health insurers are increasingly using automatic downcoding to reduce payments based on the assumption that physicians are upcoding — often without reviewing the medical record. This shift places added financial and administrative strain on practices, particularly in high-acuity, high-volume settings like Urgent Care, and raises concerns about fairness, transparency, and the long-term impact on patient access to care.
Your EHR is a Recruiting Tool
Clinicians are increasingly evaluating employers not only on compensation and location but also on the digital tools that shape their day-to-day work. If your Urgent Care organization has open positions on the Urgent Care Compass platform, be sure and let job seekers know the commitment your organization has made to technology. It will certainly attract top talent!
Urgent Care – Top Operators and State Distribution
There have been ~250 new Urgent Care centers open across the nation to date in 2025. The December 2025 ranking reports include the top 50 hospital and independent operators, and center counts by state, even showing which states have climbed the ranks over the year. Visit this post on The Check In for more details.
Study Findings: Why Patients Leave Their Doctors
Patients and clinicians are busier than ever — and a new survey shows just how much that impacts the patient experience. Long waits, rushed visits, and difficulty reaching a real person are now top reasons patients leave their doctors. With most people juggling tight schedules and expecting quick, personalized care, practices that streamline communication and reduce friction stand to retain more patients in an increasingly time-pressed healthcare environment.
Anthem: Out of Network Payment Penalties
Starting January 1, 2026, Anthem BCBS will introduce a 10% reimbursement penalty for hospitals in 11 states when out-of-network physicians treat their members. Driven by the No Surprises Act’s impact on insurer costs, the policy applies to non-emergent OON care at in-network hospitals, with rural and safety-net facilities carved out for now.
Every U.S. State Fails on Healthcare Cost: None Earned Better Than a D
Disappointing but not surprising... This recent West Health-Gallup Center for Healthcare in America report: “State of the States 2025: Insights on Healthcare in America” ranks all states on cost, quality and access and the U.S. is definitely not going to the head of the class.
September Healthcare Jobs Report: Ambulatory Care Leads the Growth
In the first BLS jobs report since the government shut down 42,800 healthcare jobs were added in the month of September. Ambulatory healthcare services growth saw the biggest increase!
Flu Season Predicted to be a doozy! Ask EVERY patient if they need vaccinated.
As we brace for a potentially severe influenza season, now is a crucial moment for Urgent Care clinicians to reaffirm a key preventive measure: offer the influenza vaccine to every eligible patient, regardless of visit type.
APC Utilization Protects Access to Care
MGMA’s latest survey highlights nationwide growth in APC utilization—a trend that directly impacts Urgent Care. While the results aren’t specialty-specific, they underscore rising demand for APCs across healthcare. With workforce shortages persisting, increased reliance on APCs in other settings will intensify competition for Urgent Care recruitment.
From Hospitals to Urgent Care: How Employer Branding Shapes the Battle for Talent
At the HealthLeaders Workforce Decision Makers Exchange, healthcare leaders highlighted the growing importance of a strong workforce brand. Job seekers now research employers online, making employer branding, social media presence, and online reputation management vital for attracting top talent. Hospitals and Urgent Care centers can boost recruitment by showcasing culture and employee stories.