HFMA Michigan Great Lakes Chapter Update – February 2026 Chapter President’s Message Dear HFMA Michigan Great Lakes Chapter Members, As we welcome 2026 and embark on a new year together, I want to thank each of you for your ongoing dedication to our profession and the communities we proudly serve. The world of healthcare finance continues to evolve, and this year we face the reality of pivotal legislative changes, including the recent expiration of the expanded Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies at the close of 2025. These changes will deeply affect our organizations, our patients, and the broader health system.   Legislative Changes: Navigating a Post-Subsidy Landscape With the ACA subsidies having expired as of December 31, 2025, we are already witnessing the effects on access to care and financial stability for many of our patients. The enhanced subsidies, which improved affordability and coverage for millions, are no longer in effect, leaving countless individuals facing increased premiums or the loss of insurance coverage altogether. This shift brings substantial implications for our payer mix and revenue cycles, as well as for the communities we serve. The expiration of these subsidies is expected to result in a rise in uninsured and underinsured patients. Hospitals and providers may see greater financial strain from uncompensated care and charity care demands, as well as heightened challenges in delivering services to vulnerable populations. As always, it is our collective responsibility to monitor these repercussions and to advocate for sustainable solutions that protect our organizations and the patients who rely on us.   Top 3 Things to Watch in Healthcare Finance for 2026 Impact of ACA Subsidy Expiration The loss of enhanced ACA subsidies is causing shifts in payer mix and increasing the number of uninsured or underinsured patients. This directly affects revenue cycles, uncompensated care, and charity care policies. Healthcare finance leaders must now adapt to these changes, modeling scenarios and engaging with policymakers to advocate for patient-centered solutions. Medicare and Medicaid Payment Reform Congress is expected to advance discussions on reforms to Medicare and Medicaid payment structures, including site-neutral payments and potential updates to value-based reimbursement models. These shifts could have a significant impact on hospital margins, requiring proactive financial strategy adjustments. Regulatory Changes Affecting Price Transparency and Reporting New federal and state regulations around price transparency, surprise billing, and financial reporting are emerging. Healthcare organizations will need to increase investment in compliance, technology, and communication to meet these evolving standards and maintain the trust of the public. Looking Ahead As we adjust to these legislative realities, our chapter remains committed to providing timely education, resources, and advocacy opportunities. I encourage you to participate in our upcoming webinars, conferences, and networking events where we can share insights and learn from one another. Your expertise and engagement are vital as we work together to navigate these changes and continue advancing the mission of healthcare finance in Michigan and beyond. Thank you for your leadership and dedication. Wishing you a successful and meaningful 2026!   Warm Regards,   Courtney Guernsey, FHFMA, EHRC, CRCR President, HFMA Michigan Great Lakes Chapter HFMA Region 6 Conference - September 23rd-25th Update With HFMA Region 6 Conference approaching in September, we are calling all individuals interested in being a part of the event in a speaker capacity. There are three main focus areas that Region 6 is seeking interested speakers for: Revenue Cycle Optimization, Payer Strategy & Managed Care, and Regulatory, Compliance & Risk. If you are interested, please use the following link to submit interest: HFMA R6 Speaker Form Submissions are due Friday, April 17th, 2026. Top Golf Networking Event - Friday, March 13th, 2026 Have you signed up for your spot for our first in person event of 2026 yet?  We have 13 available spots remaining and would love to see you for our first ever Top Golf event. This is the perfect way to network with healthcare finance professionals, whether you are a golf pro or a novice!  Register Here to claim your spot before time runs out! Volunteer Spotlight Thomas Miller, Membership Committee Tom has been with Fifth Third Bank for the past 10 months, serving as a Healthcare Treasury Management Officer. He brings more than 20 years of banking experience, including over eight years focused specifically on revenue cycle management. Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Regis University in Colorado and was previously an active member of the Colorado HFMA chapter before joining the Great Lakes Chapter in April 2025. An engaged volunteer, Tom serves on two HFMA Great Lakes committees, the Networking Committee and the Membership Committee. He is a Certified Revenue Cycle Representative and has partnered with a wide range of healthcare providers and payers to improve revenue cycle efficiency while optimizing both accounts receivable and accounts payable processes. His approach is consultative, educational, and strongly rooted in building meaningful relationships. In addition to his financial background, Tom also has seven years of experience in cybersecurity, giving him a unique perspective on risk management, operational resilience, and safeguarding payment workflows. Outside of work, Tom enjoys golfing, traveling, and, most importantly, spending time with his family. You can often find him in his basement gaming with his wife, daughter, and two sons. Sponsor Spotlight TruBridge proudly supports rural and community healthcare providers in their efforts to stay strong, independent, and deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Backed by more than 45 years of healthcare experience and trusted by over 1,500 clients nationwide, we offer a mix of technology, services, and strategic expertise — including revenue cycle management, electronic health records (EHR) and analytics — all designed singularly for the realities of rural and community healthcare. With a steadfast commitment to keeping care local, TruBridge helps hospitals flourish as the economic heart of their communities, delivering high-quality, deeply personal care close to home. Learn more about TruBridge by visiting their website today! Upcoming Events - MGL Chapter Michigan Great Lakes HFMA TopGolf Networking Event - March 13, 2026 (Register Here) Michigan Great Lakes HFMA 2026 Women In Leadership Conference - April 22nd, 2026 (More information coming soon) Michigan Great Lakes HFMA 2025 Annual Sponsorship (Register Here) Upcoming Education and Programming - Region 6 Northwest Ohio HFMA Webinar: 5 Ways to Make your Org's RCM AI-Ready for Revenue Survival in the OBBB era - Februrary 11th, 2026 (Register Here) Southwestern Ohio HFMA 2026 Spring Conference - March 5th, 2026 Northwest Ohio HFMA Webinar: The NOA Advantage: Automations That Recover Workforce Hours and Prevent Revenue Loss - March 10th, 2026 (Register Here) Central Ohio HFMA 2026 Spring Conference: Keeping Pace with Patients, Policy and Payers - March 12th 2026 (Register Here) Northeast Ohio HFMA Presents Healthcare Finance Forum: From PFS, RCM, to AI & Beyond - March 12th, 2026 (Register Here) Region 6 HMFA Conference - September 23rd-September 25th at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel (More information coming soon) Sponsorship Opportunities We have built a sponsorship program to hopefully meet all of your needs. Our business partners are critical to our success. We value your support of our chapter and look forward to working with you in 2025 and beyond. If you need any additional items or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. Thank you for your continued support! To become a 2025 sponsor for the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter HFMA, please complete this form. Tom Matonican, Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Sponsorship Chair, tom@cbmservices.com If you no longer want to receive emails from No Campaign, please Opt-Out.