Health Care Matters Newsletter
Timely insights from Coral, delivered to your inbox.
Health Care Matters is Coral’s weekly newsletter for health care leaders navigating change. From policy shifts and regulatory updates to real-world strategy insights, each issue delivers expert takeaways from our team. Sign up to stay in the know and ahead of the curve.
Health Care Matters | August 28
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we look at how a federal crackdown on Marketplace fraud could reshape insurer risk pools and efforts to bring medical education closer to communities facing physician shortages. We also share opportunities to join the Coral team, feature a Pop Health Podcast on what the proposed Physician Fee Schedule could mean for accountable care organizations, and highlight what we’re reading on OBBBA implementation, rural health investment, Medicare chronic care, the Rural Health Transformation Program, and the evidence behind Housing First.
Health Care Matters | August 21
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we look at CMS efforts to explore new technology solutions for health care quality and move a nursing home workforce incentive program toward implementation, along with an approach to bringing medical education closer to communities facing physician shortages. We also share new opportunities to join the Coral team, highlight upcoming conversations on funding and artificial intelligence in public health, and feature what we’re reading on value-based care, dual-eligible populations, rural primary care, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid policy. Plus, the Pop Health Podcast explores lessons from putting AI into practice in a health system.
Health Care Matters | August 14
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we look at scrutiny surrounding the Rural Health Transformation Program as Medicaid cuts take effect, efforts to help patients make more informed hospital care decisions, and Coral’s perspective on delivering more responsive technical assistance. We also highlight upcoming conversations on health technology and the ACCESS Model, new resources on rural health partnerships, the health care workforce, and Medicare home health, and a Pop Health Podcast on what the proposed Physician Fee Schedule could mean for accountable care organizations.
Health Care Matters | August 7
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we look at mounting pressure to reform Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, Hawaii’s efforts to address medical debt and preventive care gaps, and work underway to reduce quality reporting burden through FHIR. We also feature a new Pop Health Podcast on streamlining denial appeals and share what we’re reading on the physician workforce, outcomes-based health financing, 2026 ACA Marketplace enrollment, and revenue cycle management in value-based care.
Health Care Matters | July 31
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we examine what the end of temporary Medicare Part D premium subsidies could mean for beneficiaries and highlight a community-led effort helping rural older adults remain at home and connected. We also share Coral’s new resource on the Accountable Care Prospective Trend, our latest analysis of the proposed 2027 Physician Fee Schedule, and an open director position for a Medicaid expert. Plus, explore new perspectives on quality reporting, pharmacy access, Medicare-Medicaid alignment, patient empowerment, provider taxes, and the growing role of personal health data.
Health Care Matters | July 24
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we look at how CMS is creating a broader role for health technology within Medicare payment models and highlight efforts to build more sustainable support for community health workers in New York. We also share an open consultant position, preview a discussion on primary care provisions in the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and explore new resources on the behavioral health workforce, Medicare Advantage quality bonuses, and the growing use of artificial intelligence in health care administration. Plus, hear how technology can make denial appeals faster and less burdensome in our latest Pop Health episode.
Health Care Matters | July 17
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we examine CMS proposals that could reshape physician payment and accountable care, along with new evidence linking higher prior authorization use to Medicare Advantage disenrollment. We also highlight lessons from North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots, share Coral’s RHTP Tracker and an open consultant position, and explore recent developments in Medicaid financing, the LEAD Model, HIPAA cybersecurity, clinical AI, and coverage protections for high-risk populations. Plus, hear the latest health policy discussion from KFF and revisit what the LEAD Model could mean for specialty care and accountable care organizations in our newest Pop Health episode.
Health Care Matters | July 10
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we look at another projected double-digit increase in ACA Marketplace premiums and highlight a food pharmacy helping new and expectant mothers access fresh, local food. We also share Coral’s RHTP Tracker, an open consultant position, and new perspectives on rising health care costs, the future of alternative payment models, private equity in medicine, Medicaid enrollment, rural care delivery, and federal rural health funding. Plus, hear what the LEAD Model could mean for specialty care and accountable care organizations in our latest Pop Health episode.
Health Care Matters | June 26
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we examine rising scrutiny of high-cost wound care billing and CMS’s oversight of Rural Health Transformation Program funding. We also highlight the often-unseen role of family caregivers, introduce Coral’s new RHTP Tracker, and share an open consultant position. Plus, explore the forces shaping health care innovation, the growing influence of ACO conveners, new thinking on value-based payment and primary care risk adjustment, and our latest Pop Health episode on expanding rural access through community pharmacies.
Health Care Matters | June 19
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we reflect on Juneteenth and the reality of lasting change, while also looking at Centene’s buyouts, recalculated Medicare Advantage quality bonus payments, and new federal activity around Medicaid work requirements. We also highlight Coral Health Advisors’ RHTP Tracker, upcoming events on social care needs and Medicaid policy, recent reading on ACA enrollment, Medicaid contracting, LEAD, and health tech, plus our open consultant role, reflections from Coral’s annual retreat, and a podcast conversation on Truentity’s ANCHOR model.
Health Care Matters | June 12
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we look at congressional questions around CMS’s WISeR prior authorization pilot, state preparations for Medicaid work requirement implementation, and a volunteer-led thrift store supporting a local medical center. We also highlight Coral Health Advisors’ RHTP Tracker, a podcast conversation on specialty care in value-based models, and recent reading on all-payer claims databases, Medicare trust funds, price transparency, Medicaid spending on Medicare premiums, and why insurers still see value-based care as part of the answer to high costs.
Health Care Matters | June 5
In this week’s Health Care Matters, it’s a Rural Takeover. We look at how states are moving from rural health funding awards into implementation, New Mexico’s expanded debt repayment support for rural physicians, and Coral Health Advisors’ Rural Health Transformation Program Tracker. We also highlight new writing on what the first six months of RHTP activity are showing, open applications for the Rural Health Provider Transition Project, recent reading on rural workforce and infrastructure, and a podcast conversation on Truentity’s ANCHOR model.
Health Care Matters | May 29
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we look at renewed debate over ACA affordability as enrollment and premium pressures build, GoodRx’s move into subscription-based care access, and Tennessee’s community health worker strategy. We also highlight new writing on CMS’s proposed Medicaid payment rule, recent reading on primary care, private equity, Medicare-Medicaid integration, and value-based care adoption, and a conversation on making specialty care work in value-based models.
Health Care Matters | May 15
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we’re celebrating three years of Coral Health Advisors and reflecting on the work, partnerships, and momentum that have shaped our growth. We’re also following CMS’ hospice and home health enrollment freeze, Medicaid work requirement implementation, the role of AI in health care, and emerging affordability strategies across commercial markets, self-insured employers, and state perinatal health systems. Plus, we highlight a former school being reimagined as a community health and resource hub and share a new opportunity to join the Coral team.
Health Care Matters | May 8
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we’re following new federal attention on psychiatric deprescribing, continued movement toward electronic prior authorization modernization, and the role of specialty care in accountable care arrangements. We also highlight volunteer-led efforts to expand access to care for uninsured and underinsured Americans, share a new toolkit on specialty engagement in accountable care, and point to recent reads on payer-provider partnerships, prevention, digital health, and emerging market dynamics tied to new models.
Health Care Matters | May 1
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we’re exploring some of the biggest questions shaping health care right now, from early concerns surrounding the WISeR model and the incentives it may create, to broader debates about the future direction of the health care system. We’re also highlighting stories that remind us what’s working, including an Oregon county mobile clinic helping restore access to care in rural communities and a new edition of Look for the Helpers. Plus, we’re sharing new job opportunities, recent research on Medicare Advantage Star Ratings and Medicaid coverage of certified nurse midwives, and a look at proposals to expand the GUIDE Model to better support adults with intellectual disability and dementia.
Health Care Matters | April 24
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we highlight the release of the LEAD Model RFA and what it signals for the future of accountable care, alongside examples of how innovative, integrated care models are improving patient navigation and advancing value-based oncology. We also look ahead to the NAACOS Spring Conference, share new insights on primary care investment, Medicaid policy, and pricing regulation, and feature the latest Pop Health Podcast exploring the development of the LEAD model.
Health Care Matters | April 3
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we highlight the release of the LEAD Model RFA and what it signals for the future of accountable care, alongside examples of how innovative, integrated care models are improving patient navigation and advancing value-based oncology. We also look ahead to the NAACOS Spring Conference, share new insights on primary care investment, Medicaid policy, and pricing regulation, and feature the latest Pop Health Podcast exploring the development of the LEAD model.
Health Care Matters | March 27
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we explore CMMI’s new ASPIRE model and what it signals for the expansion of value-based care into pediatric Medicaid populations, alongside proposed ACA marketplace changes that highlight growing tension between coverage flexibility, provider concerns, and affordability pressures. We also feature a story on philanthropic investment improving rural access to care, share new opportunities in value-based care strategy, and highlight our latest blog on CMS’s direction for quality and safety. The issue also includes insights from recent research and policy analysis on Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care, and emerging CMMI models, along with an upcoming LEAD-focused webinar and a new Pop Health Podcast on how the model came to life.
Health Care Matters | March 20
In this week’s Health Care Matters, we highlight CMS proposals that could reshape ACA marketplace plan design and advance efforts to unify Medicare claims processing, signaling continued movement toward system modernization and flexibility. We also spotlight a story of compassion in care delivery, share new career opportunities in value-based care and state policy, and round out the issue with timely insights on primary care workforce trends, state health system performance, Medicare payment models, and ACO strategy, along with our latest Pop Health Podcast on primary care capitation and state-level lessons in value-based payment.