December 19, 2025

Dear Kids Health First (KHF) Providers and Practice Administrators,

We have some important updates about payor updates, new programs, and upcoming events. There's a lot of information, and we want to keep you informed. Please read through this email carefully and let us know if you have any questions.

Important Updates

Pediatric Coding Webinar Recap and Supporting Files

Thank you to everyone who joined the pediatric coding webinar on November 20, focused on preparing practices for 2026 coding updates and guidelines. We appreciate your time and engagement as we work together to ensure practices are well-positioned for upcoming changes.

During the session, Mary Suhr, Director of Revenue Cycle Consulting with Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies, walked attendees through:

Key 2026 CPT and diagnosis code updates
Best practices in billing and coding to support compliance while maximizing revenue

For those who attended—or anyone who would like to review the materials—we’re pleased to share the resources from the webinar:

These materials are intended to serve as a reference for practice administrators, physicians, and billing and coding teams as you plan for the year ahead.

Thank you again for your participation and continued commitment to staying informed and prepared.

Phishing Example: Looks Official, But Isn’t

We want to share a recent phishing example received by one of our practices that highlights just how convincing these emails have become.

At first glance, the document looks legitimate and professional. It includes real practice information and appears to come from a credible source. However, there are key red flags to watch for:

Requests for banking information (routing and account numbers)
Unexpected affiliation — why would a pediatric practice receive a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

This is a great reminder that phishing attempts often look official and polished. Always pause, verify the sender, and never share sensitive information unless you have independently confirmed the request.

View the phishing example to see how realistic these emails can appear.

If you ever receive a suspicious email or document, report it immediately and do not respond or click links.

AAP Letter: Update on Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently shared a letter from its President outlining recent federal vaccine policy developments and AAP actions related to hepatitis B (Hep B) immunization.

In the letter, the AAP describes a recent decision by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) related to Hep B vaccination at birth and summarizes the Academy’s current recommendations, background data, and ongoing advocacy and communication efforts. The letter also highlights resources developed by the AAP to support pediatricians in discussing immunizations with families and staying informed on policy changes.

Kids Health First is sharing this communication for awareness, as it may be relevant to clinical discussions, patient questions, and practice operations.

Read the full letter from the AAP President.

AAP President Letter: Federal Funding and Vaccine Policy Updates

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a new letter from its President sharing updates on recent federal actions affecting child health programs and vaccine policy.

In the letter, the AAP outlines the abrupt termination of several federal grants that supported child health initiatives, including programs focused on infant mortality, rural health access, early screening, and prevention efforts. The letter also provides an update on ongoing legal proceedings involving vaccine policy and the childhood immunization schedule, as well as next steps the Academy is considering related to advocacy and federal engagement.

The communication is intended to keep pediatricians informed as these developments continue to unfold and additional details become available.

Kids Health First is sharing this letter for awareness, as it may be relevant to practices navigating questions related to child health policy, vaccines, and care delivery.

Read the full letter from the AAP President.

Insights from Peers: Use of Company Computers

View insights from peer practices on the use of company computers and policies surrounding personal use.

On-Demand Webinar: Workplace Violence in Healthcare (Curi)

Workplace violence continues to be a growing concern across healthcare settings. Kids Health First practices are encouraged to view this on-demand webinar from Curi, which focuses on recognizing, preventing, and responding to workplace violence incidents.

The recorded session provides practical guidance to help practices:

Increase staff awareness and preparedness
Reduce risk and strengthen safety protocols
Respond appropriately in the event of an incident

Watch the webinar recording: Workplace Violence in Healthcare – Curi Webinar

Practice leaders and staff are encouraged to take advantage of this valuable safety resource.

Gwinnett Pediatrics Gets into the Holiday Spirit

A big thank you to Gwinnett Pediatrics for sharing photos from their office holiday decorating and Christmas tree contest! Their festive displays highlighted the creativity and teamwork of their staff during the busy holiday season.

We love seeing practices find creative ways to build team spirit and celebrate together. Thank you to the Gwinnett Pediatrics team for sharing—and to all our practices, we wish you a happy, healthy, and joyful holiday season!