Policy uncertainty in 2026, with Anders Gilberg of MGMA
Thu Feb 05 2026
Government funding deadlines, expiring coverage subsidies and temporary policy fixes are creating real-world disruptions for physician practices — often with little warning.
Keith Reynolds, managing editor of Physicians Practice, sat down with Anders Gilberg, senior vice president of government affairs at the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), to talk about how recent federal policy decisions are landing inside medical groups.
Register now for Physicians Practice's Practice Academy event: Practice Management Track, on March 19, 2026, from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM EDT: https://registration.physicianspractice.com
Music Credits:Retro Rhythm by BJBeats - stock.adobe.comA Textbook Example by Skip Peck - stock.adobe.comEditor's note: Episode timestamps and transcript produced using AI tools.0:00 — Cold open Why 2026 is shaping up to be another unpredictable year for health care policy.
0:22 — Intro Austin Littrell introduces the episode, the Practice Academy note and the conversation with Anders Gilberg.
1:41 — Interview begins Keith Reynolds welcomes Gilberg and sets the policy context.
1:44 — What breaks first during funding delays How last-minute government decisions disrupt medical groups.
2:15 — Telehealth disruptions after shutdowns What expired flexibilities meant for care continuity.
4:07 — Are repeated telehealth extensions real progress? Why short-term fixes keep practices in limbo.
4:21 — A longer telehealth extension on the table Why a 2027 extension would be a meaningful shift.
5:39 — If telehealth rules were permanent What flexibilities matter most for patients and practices.
7:29 — The 1.0 work GPCI floor explained Why rural physician payment protections matter.
7:46 — What happens if the floor expires Billing chaos and reduced reimbursement in rural areas.
10:09 — PAMA lab payment cuts What scheduled reductions would mean for in-office labs.
12:30 — The RESULTS Act Why MGMA supports broader reform beyond delaying cuts.
12:44 — Value-based care math Are practices backing away from Advanced APMs?
12:59 — Why incentives matter How APM bonuses help practices transition from fee-for-service.
15:06 — P2 Management Minute Keith Reynolds shares practical guidance for practice leaders.
15:58 — Expiring ACA subsidies Early signs of coverage loss and financial strain.
16:20 — What practices are seeing so far Payment plans, uncompensated care and patient access concerns.
19:13 — Direct primary care and concierge models What policy signals may — and may not — mean.
21:27 — MGMA’s 2026 advocacy agenda What the organization is watching closely.
21:39 — Cybersecurity and unfunded mandates Concerns about new regulatory costs for practices.
22:55 — Final thoughts Why policy volatility isn’t slowing down.
23:15 — Outro Wrap-up, subscription reminder and Practice Academy note.
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Government funding deadlines, expiring coverage subsidies and temporary policy fixes are creating real-world disruptions for physician practices — often with little warning. Keith Reynolds, managing editor of Physicians Practice, sat down with Anders Gilberg, senior vice president of government affairs at the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), to talk about how recent federal policy decisions are landing inside medical groups. Register now for Physicians Practice's Practice Academy event: Practice Management Track, on March 19, 2026, from 1:00 PM-5:00 PM EDT: https://registration.physicianspractice.com Music Credits:Retro Rhythm by BJBeats - stock.adobe.comA Textbook Example by Skip Peck - stock.adobe.comEditor's note: Episode timestamps and transcript produced using AI tools.0:00 — Cold open Why 2026 is shaping up to be another unpredictable year for health care policy. 0:22 — Intro Austin Littrell introduces the episode, the Practice Academy note and the conversation with Anders Gilberg. 1:41 — Interview begins Keith Reynolds welcomes Gilberg and sets the policy context. 1:44 — What breaks first during funding delays How last-minute government decisions disrupt medical groups. 2:15 — Telehealth disruptions after shutdowns What expired flexibilities meant for care continuity. 4:07 — Are repeated telehealth extensions real progress? Why short-term fixes keep practices in limbo. 4:21 — A longer telehealth extension on the table Why a 2027 extension would be a meaningful shift. 5:39 — If telehealth rules were permanent What flexibilities matter most for patients and practices. 7:29 — The 1.0 work GPCI floor explained Why rural physician payment protections matter. 7:46 — What happens if the floor expires Billing chaos and reduced reimbursement in rural areas. 10:09 — PAMA lab payment cuts What scheduled reductions would mean for in-office labs. 12:30 — The RESULTS Act Why MGMA supports broader reform beyond delaying cuts. 12:44 — Value-based care math Are practices backing away from Advanced APMs? 12:59 — Why incentives matter How APM bonuses help practices transition from fee-for-service. 15:06 — P2 Management Minute Keith Reynolds shares practical guidance for practice leaders. 15:58 — Expiring ACA subsidies Early signs of coverage loss and financial strain. 16:20 — What practices are seeing so far Payment plans, uncompensated care and patient access concerns. 19:13 — Direct primary care and concierge models What policy signals may — and may not — mean. 21:27 — MGMA’s 2026 advocacy agenda What the organization is watching closely. 21:39 — Cybersecurity and unfunded mandates Concerns about new regulatory costs for practices. 22:55 — Final thoughts Why policy volatility isn’t slowing down. 23:15 — Outro Wrap-up, subscription reminder and Practice Academy note.