What an incredible experience we shared at the 2025 NC HIMSS Annual Conference! Held October 13th and 14th, this year’s event brought together healthcare leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the state to explore the future of health IT. From thought-provoking keynotes to hands-on breakout sessions and meaningful networking moments, the energy and insights from the conference are still resonating.

In this month’s newsletter, we’re recapping highlights from the event, sharing photos and takeaways, and spotlighting the voices that made this year’s gathering so impactful. Whether you joined us in person or are catching up from afar, we’re excited to keep the momentum going.

Upcoming Events

NC HIMSS Winter Dinner

Date: January 28, 2026

Location: Honeywell, 855 S. Mint St. Charlotte, NC.

Hosted by the NC HIMSS Informatics Workgroup. Registration details to follow soon!

 

Advocacy Corner

In anticipation of possible Congressional action, CMS has instructed all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to continue to temporarily hold claims with dates of service of October 1, 2025, and later for services impacted by the expired Medicare legislative payment provisions passed under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. This includes all claims paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, ground ambulance transport claims, and all Federally Qualified Health Center claims. Providers may continue to submit these claims, but payment will not be released until the hold is lifted. MLN Connects Newsletter for October 15, 2025 | CMS

  • Healthcare Workforce Reforms (Session Law 2025-37): This legislation is designed to address provider shortages and modernize regulations.
  • Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC): Creates a new pathway for physicians to get licensed in NC and other compact states, effective January 1, 2026.
  • Internationally-Trained Physician Employee (ITPE) License: Establishes a limited license for foreign-trained physicians with job offers in NC, effective January 1, 2026.
  • Physician Assistant (PA) Licensure Compact: Enables multistate practice for PAs, effective April 1, 2026.
  • Team-Based Practice for PAs: Updates rules regarding supervision for PAs with significant clinical experience, effective June 30, 2026.
  • AI Regulation: Both North and South Carolina have pending legislation that would prevent insurance utilization reviews and coverage determinations from being made solely by automated systems, requiring human oversight.
  • Other Initiatives:
  • Legislative changes have also impacted the Certificate of Need (CON) program, such as Session Law 2023-7 (HB 76).
  • The state has a history of initiatives aimed at improving health information technology, including the State Medicaid Health Information Technology Plan (SMHP).

Questions? Contact Brooke McSwain, NC HIMSS Advocacy Chair.

News

Sponsors and Sponsorship

How do these sponsors support healthcare IT?

Abridge was founded in 2018 to power deeper understanding in healthcare. The enterprise-grade AI platform transforms medical conversations into clinically useful and billable documentation at the point of care, reducing administrative burden and clinician burnout while improving patient experience. With deep EHR integration, support for 28+ languages, and 50+ specialties, Abridge is implemented across a wide range of care settings, including outpatient, emergency department, and inpatient.

IDMWORKS is an industry-leading identity and access management (IAM) solutions provider.

Since 2004, we have been dedicated to securing businesses and enabling interactions with their customers, partners, and employees driving transformative growth. Complex identity challenges are simplified through our team’s vision, expertise and resilience ensuring strategic outcomes are successful.

Our deeply knowledgeable and customer-centric experts have been leading the ever-shifting IAM industry for nearly two decades, positioning us to deliver cutting-edge cyber security solutions.

Secure a sponsorship spot for NC HIMSS events for the 2024-2025 year! Click here to Become a Sponsor – North Carolina HIMSS (nchimss.org). For questions, please contact McRay Simmons.