PBN casts fearless predictions on behavioral health, AI and more

Why This Topic Matters

The piece helps readers understand which operational and regulatory shifts may affect medical practices in the coming year, especially in areas tied to billing, workforce pressures, compliance, technology, and ownership trends.

Article Sections

1. 2025 predictions

   Introduces the article’s year-ahead outlook and frames the major themes expected to affect medical practices in 2025.

2. Prediction: Medicare behavioral health won’t take off in 2025

   Discusses Medicare behavioral health expansion, expected adoption barriers, workforce limitations, access issues, and digital mental health treatment.

3. Prediction: AI won’t replace medical coders, but might change their scope of work

   Reviews survey findings and industry views on AI in coding workflows, including current use patterns and concerns about oversight and staffing.

4. Prediction: AI will continue to penetrate health care — but stay far from the clinical side

   Covers broader health care uses of AI outside direct clinical decision-making, including prior authorization, clinical trials support, and patient-facing tools.

5. Prediction: DOJ health care fraud prosecutions may slow a little — but states will pick up the slack

   Summarizes expectations for federal and state enforcement trends, including whistleblower activity, fraud investigations, and related policy shifts.

6. Prediction: Private equity will continue to sweep up practices

   Examines consolidation trends in physician practices, investment activity, and the continuing role of private equity in health care ownership.