Health Systems Accelerate AI Adoption but Struggle with Mature Governance and Strategy
88% of health systems use AI internally, with 71% piloting solutions in finance or clinical areas. Yet, only 18% have mature AI governance, though its importance is rising.
Health Systems Increasingly Adopt Artificial Intelligence
Recent data reveals that 88% of health systems are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) internally, with 71% deploying pilot or full AI solutions in finance, revenue cycle management, or clinical areas. This adoption reflects a growing trust in AI to improve operational efficiency and patient care.
Despite this progress, only 18% of health systems have developed a mature governance structure and comprehensive AI strategy. However, governance is gaining priority: nearly 70% of CFOs reported some form of AI governance in 2025, up from 40% in 2024.
Governance Builds Trust and Ethical Use
Healthcare executives recognize that strong AI governance is essential. It fosters community trust and ensures responsible, ethical management of sensitive information, much like established accounting rules and regulations.
Vendor Partnerships Are Key for AI Adoption
Most health systems are still in the early stages of AI adoption and prefer to work with trusted vendor partners. Close to 80% of health systems believe existing vendors or firms partnered with them have a significant advantage over new vendors when piloting AI solutions.
Moreover, 70% of health systems are more comfortable sharing data to power AI models with these existing partners. This highlights the importance of vendor relationships in moving AI initiatives forward.
Resource Gaps Create Opportunities for Vendors
Many health systems report lacking the resources to identify AI opportunities and measure return on investment (ROI). This gap presents a clear chance for vendors to educate and guide health systems through AI adoption.
While interest in AI remains high, over 80% of health systems do not yet have mature AI programs to effectively manage investments and deployment.
Insights from the Latest Report
The HFMA Health System Readiness for Artificial Intelligence report offers practical insights into AI readiness, infrastructure maturity, investment plans, vendor expectations, and adoption challenges. It also profiles four key decision-maker personas to help vendors understand health system dynamics.
The findings are based on survey responses from 233 health systems and qualitative interviews with CFOs conducted in Q2 2025. The full 37-page report is available for purchase from HFMA and Eliciting Insights. HFMA Peer Review members receive the report as part of their benefits.
About the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
HFMA supports over 135,000 healthcare finance professionals across hospitals, health systems, physician practices, and health plans. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, HFMA provides tools, education, and leadership to help members guide their organizations and the healthcare industry forward.
About Eliciting Insights
Eliciting Insights is a healthcare strategy and market research firm with deep experience in healthcare IT, digital health, and revenue cycle management. Using a proprietary panel of healthcare executives, they deliver customized insights to assist investors and technology firms in strategic decision-making.
Contact for Press Inquiries
- Brad Dennison
- Healthcare Financial Management Association
- Phone: 630-386-2945
- Email: bdennison@hfma.org
