Theresa Hush Warns ACO Technology May Fail Future Care Demands

Physicians urged to audit ACO shared-savings calculations

Medical Economics reported on 6 November 2026 that physicians should critically evaluate the calculations used for shared-savings within accountable care organisations. The publication also provides a practical guide for clinicians participating in ACOs, clinically integrated networks, and value-based contracts to help navigate these arrangements.

Dr. Adam Z. Kawalek shares AI-driven health tech development lessons

Kawalek, an emergency physician and hospitalist, founded the digital health platform SickSlip to address recurring paperwork requirements. After his staffing company went bankrupt, Kawalek quantified the time emergency physicians spent producing signatures and identified a business opportunity.

To develop his platform, Kawalek completed a 10-week online business course to learn relevant terminology. He initially spent approximately $80,000 of his personal savings over six months on a development team before deciding to let them go.

Kawalek replaced his team with an AI coding assistant after realising he could build the product by describing it in plain language. He created a rulebook and a running progress log, which he reads and updates at the start and end of every session, to ensure the AI retains project details.

Over 180 days, Kawalek shipped more than 3,300 product changes using the AI assistant while continuing his full-time work in virtual urgent care. Despite his success, he warns that one person and one model cannot run a $10 million company, noting that technology is a lever rather than a staff replacement.

Kawalek advises founders to build the worst version of a product that works and to test ideas on strangers rather than friends. He also recommends vetting potential hires for judgment and steadiness, noting he has talked himself into needing a chief technology officer multiple times but has never hired one.

Founders should allow physicians to overrule business interests and remain transparent about data usage, according to Kawalek. He also suggests prioritising help for vulnerable people before presenting a payment button to users.

Financial and contractual pressures facing modern physicians

Under Section 199A, physician practices are classified as a specified service trade or business, with the 20% qualified business income deduction phasing out according to 2026 IRS thresholds.

American Osteopathic Association reports on profession growth

Leaders of the American Osteopathic Association are discussing the profession’s record growth and its training pipeline. These discussions also address the various pressures currently impacting practicing physicians.

Medical Economics launches new physician finance resources

Medical Economics has introduced a personal finance resource for physicians that provides coverage from residency through their careers. The publication also provides information for physicians regarding the qualified business income deduction and how it functions.