AI adoption is accelerating, but are payers and providers truly ready for it? 

The 2026 Healthcare AI Readiness Index, developed by Cotiviti and MedCity News, reveals how payer and provider leaders are approaching AI adoption, managing emerging risks, and preparing for what comes next.

What the research reveals:

• AI adoption is accelerating: 97% of payers and 93% of providers are piloting or actively using AI, and nearly 40% of health insurers say AI is already a core aspect of their business.

• Governance and security lag behind: Less than 40% of organizations report having detailed policies governing employee use of AI, while 60% of payers and 64% of providers report use of unauthorized "shadow AI" tools.

• Readiness concerns remain: Only 42% of payers and 32% of providers say they are very prepared to respond to AI-assisted cyberattacks, even as more than 90% expect AI and cybersecurity investments to increase over the next year.

Get the complete findings on healthcare AI adoption, governance, cybersecurity, barriers to adoption, and future investment—and see where payer and provider priorities differ.