Today’s successful medical practice owners and administrators realize the importance of analyzing future trends in healthcare technology to plan for their practice. Understanding what changes may be coming, and the advances that are most relevant to your practice can help you keep your bottom line healthy during the healthcare technology boom, and your practice profitable in 2023.
Emerging medical technology solutions can now identify and predict trending healthcare changes, including shifting patient demographics and the isolation of the key indicators that can ready a practice by predicting medical trends. Following the latest technology innovations that impact your practice is an important asset to stay ahead of the medical curve.
Continuing education for medical certification is a part of most healthcare professional’s lives, and the most successful practices closely follow the area of medicine that is changing most rapidly – technology. Here’s what you can expect in 2023.
The Next Generation of Patient Portal
Due to demand for patient convenience, compounded with healthcare staffing shortages, an emerging popular trend for 2023 is the number of patients who take advantage of patient portals. Patient portals provide an instant and direct connection to a medical practice’s electronic health record system.
Patients are increasingly accustomed to using smartphones and computers to perform the tasks of daily living and healthcare is no exception. The Patient Portal allows a patient to log into their healthcare provider’s site and view test results, request an appointment or telehealth visit, refill a prescription, or ask the provider a question. Effective use of the Patient Portal reduces staff hours and workload while providing patients more control of their personal time and healthcare options.
Continuing Telehealth Technology Advancements
The COVID-19 pandemic affected every sector of the economy, but perhaps most profoundly impacted was America’s healthcare system.
The importance of remote healthcare technology was quickly highlighted and continues to advance to meet the demand for remote care solutions, particularly for ill or fearful patients who skipped medical care due to the pandemic.
As a result of lockdowns and patient avoidance, many healthcare practices were forced to close their doors. Telehealth visits soared for practices that offered the service that allowed doctors to care for patients remotely, saving lives and keeping their practice running.
Experts predict that revenue from telehealth medical services is set to triple at an estimated 2023 revenue of over $100B. Patients who suffer from chronic conditions that require frequent trips to their provider are expected to be the population most reliant on telehealth services in 2023 and beyond.
Outsourced Billing
Healthcare staffing shortages have become apparent in the last two years. The vast reduction in the healthcare labor force has left many medical practices falling short in maintaining timely and accurate billing practices.
As a result, the demand for outsourced medical billing is soaring, helping providers create financial consistency during unstable times. When staffing is short, it makes sense to outsource medical billing.
Remote Patient Care and Monitoring
The ability to monitor patients remotely has never been more in demand. Digital healthcare software solutions (SaaS) are everywhere, and patients want more.
Convenience, cost, and a new generation of software users has driven patient demand to incorporate their Smart medical devices. CPAP, glucose monitors, heart monitors and in-home diagnostic studies are now expected to be part of a patient’s remote healthcare program. The monitoring of vital signs remotely has reduced the costs of hospitalization and is preferred by most patients who continue to work and remain at home.
The Cost of Technology
Monitoring systems, malware protection and data security- including firewalls can be costly to install and in 2023, data breaches will remain a concern for most medical practices. As a result of changing technology, budget adjustments may be necessary to cover the costs of installing and maintaining HIPAA compliant software. Computer security professionals now play a vital part in protecting your healthcare network, remaining compliant and maintaining patient privacy.
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Artificial intelligence is increasingly prevalent in many areas of business today, and healthcare is no different. In medicine, practices have relied on AI to speed up medical billing and revenue collection.
Artificial intelligence can quickly analyze large amounts of patient data and identify relevant information and trends for healthcare organizations. AI can alleviate staffing shortages by automating your practice’s administrative tasks like preauthorizing insurance, and keeping patient records updated and can also analyze uploaded information from remote patient medical devices.
Thrive in 2023
Using technology to run more efficiently in 2023 will help your practice grow and evolve this coming year as staffing shortages and public health concerns continue to take center stage.
Stay tuned here for more trends and advice to keep your practice and your patients healthy for the future. If you need immediate assistance, and would like more information regarding these 2023 trends and our solutions that fit them, visit vowhs.com or contact us at info@vowhs.com | 412.424.2260.