Cybersecurity has long been a priority for hospitals, but the risks are shifting as AI, biometrics and digital identity tools become more deeply embedded in care delivery. For health systems, the challenge is not just keeping hackers out. It is making sure clinicians can quickly access the tools they need while guarding against new threats, including AI agents that can move through systems at machine speed.

Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Sean Kelly, M.D., chief medical officer of Imprivata, a digital identity security company, about why hospitals need to rethink access management, treat AI as a high-risk third party and build stronger guardrails around the vendors and tools connecting to their systems. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
An emerging cyberthreat: vishing 
ECRI flags misuse of AI chatbots as a top health tech hazard in 2026
How healthcare ransomware attacks shifted in 2025 

Cybersecurity has long been a priority for hospitals, but the risks are shifting as AI, biometrics and digital identity tools become more deeply embedded in care delivery. For health systems, the challenge is not just keeping hackers out. It is making sure clinicians can quickly access the tools they need while guarding against new threats, including AI agents that can move through systems at machine speed.
Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with Sean Kelly, M.D., chief medical officer of Imprivata, a digital identity security company, about why hospitals need to rethink access management, treat AI as a high-risk third party and build stronger guardrails around the vendors and tools connecting to their systems.&nbsp;
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/emerging-cyberthreat-vishing" aria-label="Link An emerging cyberthreat: vishing">An emerging cyberthreat: vishing</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/ecri-flags-misuse-ai-chatbots-top-health-tech-hazard-2026" aria-label="Link ECRI flags misuse of AI chatbots as a top health tech hazard in 2026">ECRI flags misuse of AI chatbots as a top health tech hazard in 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/how-healthcare-ransomware-attacks-are-shifting-2025" aria-label="Link How healthcare ransomware attacks shifted in 2025">How healthcare ransomware attacks shifted in 2025</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Podnosis

Podnosis: the pulse of the healthcare industry. Every week, journalists from Fierce Healthcare dive into some of the industry’s biggest trends. We talk to the experts about what’s important now so you can prep for the future. Hear about all things healthcare, from physician practices to hospital chains and insurance giants—and those that mix all three—plus the tech they use, disruptors looking to compete and people moving the sector forward. Follow Podnosis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.

Badges, bots and blind spots 

Life insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about healthcare. But some life insurers are increasingly interested in incentivizing healthy habits.

John Hancock has invested in its health and wellness program for more than a decade. The program’s goal is to reward policyholders for things like exercise and preventive health screenings. There’s actually a simple business rationale behind this approach. To explain, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with John Hancock CEO Brooks Tingle.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Mercer survey: Employers eye cost-shifting strategies as health benefit spend rises
Only 1 in 4 employers able to ‘absorb’ increasing health benefit costs without impacting business 

Life insurance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about healthcare. But some life insurers are increasingly interested in incentivizing healthy habits.
John Hancock has invested in its health and wellness program for more than a decade. The program&rsquo;s goal is to reward policyholders for things like exercise and preventive health screenings. There&rsquo;s actually a simple business rationale behind this approach. To explain, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya talks with John Hancock CEO Brooks Tingle.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/mercer-survey-employers-eye-cost-shifting-strategies-health-benefit-spend-rises" aria-label="Link Mercer survey: Employers eye cost-shifting strategies as health benefit spend rises">Mercer survey: Employers eye cost-shifting strategies as health benefit spend rises</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/finance/only-1-4-healthcare-orgs-able-absorb-increasing-health-benefit-costs-without-impacting" aria-label="Link Only 1 in 4 employers able to &lsquo;absorb&rsquo; increasing health benefit costs without impacting business">Only 1 in 4 employers able to &lsquo;absorb&rsquo; increasing health benefit costs without impacting business</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Why one life insurer is going big on health incentives

As healthcare costs rise and access challenges persist, health plans face growing pressure to engage members more effectively. Employers and plan sponsors expect their plans to play a critical role in that effort.

In this episode of “Podnosis,” Senior Writer Paige Minemyer talks with Dan Kueter, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, about what employers are asking for in today’s commercial insurance market and how UnitedHealthcare is using digital tools, AI and more personalized benefit design to support member engagement.

Kueter also discusses the push for greater affordability, the role of consumer choice and where he sees the employer-sponsored insurance market heading as health plans look to bring more customization into the member experience.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
UnitedHealth Group spotlights AI investments as part of operational turnaround
A look at how UnitedHealthcare is developing, deploying AI solutions
UnitedHealthcare unveils direct-to-consumer tool to shop for health and wellness programs
Claims for younger adults are on the rise: UnitedHealthcare, HAC study

As healthcare costs rise and access challenges persist, health plans face growing pressure to engage members more effectively. Employers and plan sponsors expect their plans to play a critical role in that effort.
In this episode of &ldquo;Podnosis,&rdquo; Senior Writer Paige Minemyer talks with Dan Kueter, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer &amp; Individual, about what employers are asking for in today&rsquo;s commercial insurance market and how UnitedHealthcare is using digital tools, AI and more personalized benefit design to support member engagement.
Kueter also discusses the push for greater affordability, the role of consumer choice and where he sees the employer-sponsored insurance market heading as health plans look to bring more customization into the member experience.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/unitedhealth-group-boosts-2026-outlook-it-posts-q1-earnings-revenue-beat">UnitedHealth Group spotlights AI investments as part of operational turnaround</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/look-how-unitedhealthcare-developing-deploying-ai-solutions">A look at how UnitedHealthcare is developing, deploying AI solutions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/unitedhealthcare-unveils-direct-consumer-tool-shop-health-and-wellness-programs">UnitedHealthcare unveils direct-to-consumer tool to shop for health and wellness programs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/claims-younger-adults-are-rise-unitedhealthcare-hac-study">Claims for younger adults are on the rise: UnitedHealthcare, HAC study</a></li>
</ul>

UnitedHealthcare exec talks AI, affordability and member engagement

What does the Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Inspector General do? Today, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Assistant Regional Inspector General Scott Perry to find out.

They dive into the agency’s work, the findings of a few recent audits and what providers can do to ensure they are in compliance.

The latest inpatient rehab facilities report discussed in this episode can be found here. The hospital compliance report can be found here. A general compliance guide is also available.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
OIG: Jury still out on impacts of vertical consolidation in Part D
More than half of patient harm events missed by hospital surveillance systems: HHS OIG
OIG: Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care plans often offer limited behavioral health networks

What does the Department of Health &amp; Human Services&rsquo; <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/" aria-label="Link Office of Inspector General do">Office of Inspector General do</a>? Today, Senior Writer Anastassia Gliadkovskaya sits down with Assistant Regional Inspector General Scott Perry to find out.
They dive into the agency&rsquo;s work, the findings of a few recent audits and what providers can do to ensure they are in compliance.
The latest inpatient rehab facilities report discussed in this episode can be found <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/reports/all/2026/unclear-medicare-requirements-led-to-differing-interpretations-of-inpatient-rehabilitation-facility-documentation-coverage-and-billing-requirements" aria-label="Link here.">here.</a> The hospital compliance report can be found <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/reports/all/2026/sarasota-memorial-hospital-received-at-least-121-million-in-medicare-overpayments/" aria-label="Link here.">here.</a> A general compliance guide is also <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/compliance-guidance/1135/HHS-OIG-GCPG-2023.pdf" aria-label="Link available.&nbsp;">available.</a>
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/oig-jury-still-out-impacts-vertical-consolidation-part-d">OIG: Jury still out on impacts of vertical consolidation in Part D</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/providers/more-half-patient-harm-events-missed-hospital-surveillance-systems-hhs-oig">More than half of patient harm events missed by hospital surveillance systems: HHS OIG</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/oig-medicare-advantage-medicaid-managed-care-plans-often-offer-limited-behavioral-health">OIG: Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care plans often offer limited behavioral health networks</a></li>
</ul>

Badges, bots and blind spots

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