Zotec Answers - A Healthcare Podcast

Take action now by clicking here or by texting ZPNSA to 50457. Read more about the No Surprises Act and QPA here. 

Rock Health Survey Previous AI-focused Zotec Answers episode

Review MGMA's 2026 Advocacy Agenda here.  If you've found this episode to be helpful, be sure to like, subscribe, and share the podcast. And if you have feedback or a topic you'd like us to explore, you can reach us anytime at [email protected].   

Ready to take the next step in your advocacy journey? Check out our Healthcare Advocacy Toolkit to get involved! Learn more about the Urgent Care Association's Advocacy efforts. 

Listen to the previous episode in our AI series here. 

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Industry Liaison for Zotec Partners, sits down with Ron Howrigon, President and CEO of Fulcrum Strategies, to break down how health insurance payers are shaping today's reimbursement and denial landscape. Drawing on insider payer strategy, they explore why denial rates are rising, how insurers approach reimbursement policy, and what clinicians can do to respond effectively in an evolving revenue cycle environment.

Check out our previous AI update podcast episode. 

Ed Gaines analyzes the CMS IDR Process PUF data for Q1-Q2 2025 and explains what it means for physician arbitration, payer negotiations, and revenue strategy. Learn how recent Transparency in Coverage (TiC) rule changes are affecting physicians in this episode of Zotec Answers. Read more on the release of the IDR Public Use Files. 

Fact-based summary of the hearings on the A to ZPAC blogIn late January, the House Budget Committee held a hearing on skyrocketing health care costs. To learn more about that hearing, check out this press release. 

Comments are due on February 23, 2026.CMS: List of certified independent dispute resolution entities

Zotec and Microsoft partner to bring intelligent automation to radiology workflows - Read more here.

This episode was recorded and produced just before the Executive Order establishing a federal moratorium on state-level AI regulation was signed (12/11/2025). The order creates a unified federal framework, directs a new AI Litigation Task Force, and ties certain broadband funding eligibility to state compliance. We’ll continue to monitor these developments and share updates as they become available.For more information, refer to the White House Fact Sheet and recent news coverage on the Executive Order. 

Zotec and Microsoft partner to bring intelligent automation to radiology workflows at RSNA 2025 - Read more here. 

White Paper - "Medicare's Anchor is Dragging"MPFS Final Rule SummaryMPFS Final Rule Key Takeaways

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Jennifer Fox and Megan Applegarth explore whether states are taking the lead over Congress in crafting AI regulations. They examine how differing state policies are setting the standard for national regulations and what this means for innovation, technology development, and the responsible use of AI across industries.

Review ZPAC's monthly newsletter. Visit PayerPrice or contact Roger at [email protected]. Check out our new white paper on Medicare physician reimbursement. 

Support the Find It Early Act today by sending a message to your lawmakers! Take action here or by texting ZPFIND to 50457.

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Jennifer Fox and Megan Applegarth explore the evolving world of AI in healthcare, with a focus on how it's being regulated. They share insights on the latest developments at both the state and federal levels and discuss how varying state approaches are shaping the national landscape.

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Industry Liaison for Zotec Partners, breaks down a frequently mentioned, but often misunderstood, term in Washington, D.C.: "PAYGO" sequestration cuts. In this quick, crash-course style discussion, Ed explains what these cuts are, how they work, and what they mean for healthcare.

Take action today by clicking here or by texting ZPNSA to 50457.Download and review our Healthcare Advocacy Toolkit.Access the NSA timeline.

Get Involved: Access our updated Healthcare Advocacy Toolkit for resources and talking points. Take Action: Urge Congress to support the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 (H.R. 879/S. 1640) here or text ZPFIX to 50457.

Review the Specialty Impact Table (Table 92). H.R. 879 and S. 1640.Read more on the new CMS "efficiency adjustment" in a recent A to ZPAC blog post.

Take action today! Visit our Action Center or simply text ZPNSA to 50457. Review the legislation here: H.R. 4710 and S. 2420.

Take Action Today! The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 (H.R. 879/ S. 1640) - Text ZPFIX to 50457The Find It Early Act (S. 1410) - Text ZPFIND to 50457Become an Advocate Today. Text ZOTEC to 50457. Visit our Get Involved page.Check Out Our Resources: Zotec Answers - A Healthcare PodcastA to ZPAC Blogs - A Biweekly Blog Healthcare Advocacy ToolkitBreast Cancer Awareness ToolkitQ1 and Q2 2025 Legislative Reports

Listen to previous episodes of Zotec Answers. McDermott No Surprises Act Resource CenterDo you have a question or topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Just send us an email at [email protected]. 

Take action today by texting ZPFIND to 50457. 

Take Action Today! On the go? Simply text ZPFIX to 50457 to take action. If you haven't yet listened to the previous episode of Zotec Answers, where Ed Gaines spoke with Dr. Jennifer Raley, you can listen to it here. Interested in learning more about the Budget Reconciliation process? Check out this helpful graphic.References & Resources: Emergency Medicine Policy InstituteRAND Health CareRAND Report

Take action today! On the go? Simply text ZPFIX to 50457 to take action.Interested in learning more about the Budget Reconciliation process? Check out this helpful graphic. 

Want to know what breast cancer screening coverage looks like in your state? Visit densebreast-info.org for up-to-date state-by-state information.Curious about how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the landscape of breast cancer diagnosis? Dive into our previous A to ZPAC blog post to explore some of the latest developments. 

References & Resources: Emergency Medicine Policy InstituteRAND Health CareRAND Report

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Industry Liaison at Zotec Partners, shares key updates on the latest developments surrounding the No Surprises Act. He also provides insights from a recent meeting between physicians and newly appointed, and confirmed, Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Take action today! On the go? Simply text ZPDOC to 50457.  

Advocacy is powered by active participants. Physicians are experts in healthcare, and policymakers need their insights. Make your voice heard today! Take action by urging your members of Congress to cosponsor and support H.R. 879. On the go? Simply text ZPFIX to 50457. 

Advocacy is powered by active participants. Physicians are experts in healthcare, and policymakers need their insights.Make your voice heard today! Take action by urging your representatives to cosponsor H.R. 879! On the go? Simply text ZPFIX to 50457.

Take action today by urging your representatives to cosponsor H.R. 879!On the go? Simply text ZPFIX to 50457.

Learn how AI-driven coding solutions are enhancing accuracy and efficiency in emergency medicine. For more insights, check out Zotec Partners' white paper on Automated Coding Solutions for Emergency Medicine. For inquiries about Zotec's coding solutions, contact Ed Gaines at [email protected]. 

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Industry Liaison for Zotec Partners, explores the latest updates on the No Surprises Act, including recent litigation developments and new guidance issued by CMS/CCIIO that impact the physician community.

In the first Zotec Answers of 2025, Mark Isenberg, Executive Vice President of Healthcare Advocacy for Zotec Partners, breaks down the recent announcement from the Biden-Harris administration and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), revealing a final rule to remove medical debt from credit reports. Isenberg delves into the potential effects of this change on healthcare and its implications for the already strained Medicare physician reimbursement.

Take action today! Healthcare Provisions in the Year-End Funding Bill are CriticalTell Congress to Pass the Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 (H.R. 10073)The Find It Early Act (H.R. 3086)

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Industry Liaison at Zotec Partners, discusses the recent United States Court of Appeals ruling for the Fifth Circuit on the TMA III case. Ed breaks down the court’s decision and explores its potential impact on healthcare and physician reimbursement.

Access our Election Center today to prepare to vote! Simply text ZPVOTE to 50457 or visit our website. Check out our Healthcare Advocacy Toolkit to learn more about the challenges physicians are facing. 

What can you do today?Early voting and absentee voting are already underway in many states. If you won't be able to vote on November 5, 2024, explore your early and absentee voting options with our Election Center to ensure your voice is heard. Tell Congress to Stop Cuts to the Medicare PFS by visiting our website or by texting ZPFIX to 50457.As you prepare to vote, check out our Election Center! You can access it on our website or on the go by texting ZPVOTE to 50457. The Election Center allows you to view who is on your ballot and find your polling place. 

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Industry Liaison for Zotec Partners, shares timely updates on the No Surprises Act (NSA). He highlights two key developments: the introduction of the No Surprises Act Enforcement Act (HR 9572) in Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice's amicus brief in an air ambulance case. He also discusses the potential impact of these legal actions on NSA enforcement and the potential impact of HR 9572.

For more information on the new FDA breast density notification requirements, view this resource. For more information on the Find It Early Act and to view what legislation your state has in place, click here. Additional Resources: End the ConfusionUSPSTF Screening Recommendations and ACR ResponseACR Breast Cancer Screening GuidelinesFind It Early Act (US HR 3086)

Click here to view the website for Proposition 35. 

If you have not yet listened to Ed Gaines' episode on how bad payor policies and tactics are impacting emergency physicians in 2024, you can listen here. 

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines provides an update on the latest developments in the litigation regarding the No Surprises Act (NSA) and discusses the meaning and significance of the appellate court's decision in this case.

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines discusses the impact of unfair practices by major health insurers on emergency medicine physicians. He explores how these practices not only affect emergency medicine but also have broader implications across various healthcare specialties, especially in the context of the evolving nature of healthcare and revenue cycle management.

Access the white paper mentioned in the podcast episode here.

In this episode of Zotec Answers, Ed Gaines provides an overview of the Supreme Court case that overturned the Chevron deference doctrine and discusses the implications this decision could have on healthcare.