Automation, vendor transitions and workforce evaluations are driving revenue cycle cuts at five health systems in 2026. Here’s a look at each:
1. Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health is eliminating 31 revenue cycle positions to prevent redundancy, a health system spokesperson confirmed July 22. The cuts are part of ongoing efforts to modernize revenue cycle operations and evaluate organizational structure and staffing needs.
The spokesperson said that while the changes are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the system, “we recognize the impact on those affected and are committed to providing transition support. We are grateful for their contributions to Novant Health and our patients.”
2. West Des Moines, Iowa-based UnityPoint Health is cutting an unspecified number of employees as it transitions certain revenue cycle functions to Omega Healthcare later this year.
UnityPoint’s revenue cycle employees were notified July 7 regarding individual impact. A system spokesperson said the system was able to offer employment with Omega Healthcare to some revenue cycle employees, but the system is “unable to share the exact number at this time.”
In April, the health system had said it was transitioning some IT and revenue cycle functions to third-party vendors, including eliminating 207 IT roles. At that time, UnityPoint said it had not determined how the revenue cycle transition would affect its workforce.
3. Citing “strategic advances in technology,” Springfield, Mo.-based CoxHealth is eliminating 53 revenue cycle roles, a system spokesperson confirmed to Becker’s on June 17.
The affected employees primarily worked in roles that involved manual entry for medical coding. Advances in technology and planned streamlined workflows with those tools have automated those roles.
Many of the affected employees will transition to new positions within the health system, and CoxHealth will provide resources to those who are departing the organization.
4. Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health eliminated coding positions April 2 as part of what it described as a “targeted operational change” to align administrative functions across the system.
A health system spokesperson told Becker’s that the changes are “part of our ongoing work to align administrative functions across our system and ensure long-term sustainability.”
“This change completes a transition that began with prior technology and workflow updates and allows us to reduce duplication while maintaining consistency, compliance and access to care,” the spokesperson said.
5. Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health confirmed to Becker’s in January that it is transitioning certain nonpatient-facing revenue cycle functions to an external partner, resulting in a 10.5% reduction in positions across the department.
Trinity Health declined to provide further details, including how many employees will be affected.
“Like other health care providers across the country, we are navigating significant challenges, including low reimbursement that doesn’t cover the cost of care, critical staffing shortages, and the rising cost of care for underinsured and uninsured patients,” Trinity Health said. “We have a responsibility to remain financially sustainable and that requires us to consider new ways to reduce costs while sustaining the high-quality care our communities depend on.”
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