Market Trends of Healthcare BPO Industry
Revenue Cycle Management Segment is Anticipated to Witness Growth Over the Forecast Period
Healthcare systems use revenue cycle management (RCM) to track the financial dealings with patients, from their initial appointment to the final payment of the balance associated with the healthcare system. The RCM can be defined as all clinical and administrative functions that contribute to managing and collecting patient service revenues. Hence, the increasing need for RCM services in healthcare is expected to boost segment growth.
The RCM offers several benefits to the provider, from handling billing and collections to handling administrative functions. It is a technologically advanced system that handles administrative functions through sophisticated billing, payment processing, and electronic health record systems. According to the report published by Hyperon in September 2022, it is clear that every step of the patient care revenue process, from initial visits through complete reimbursement, is difficult and time-consuming. This becomes easy with efficient RCM processes. It also states that healthcare facilities cannot deliver high-quality care while maintaining their financial stability without properly configured RCM processes. Thus, the usage of RCM has increased across healthcare, thereby driving segment growth.
Currently, the market players are focusing on new collaborations and agreements to strengthen their market positions, which is ultimately attributed to segment growth. For instance, in July 2021, Revenue cycle management (RCM) vendor Waystar planned to acquire Patientco, in the latest deal between an RCM vendor and a patient payment company. The RCM vendor intends for the combination to boost the patient's financial experience by offering users consumer-friendly options for paying medical bills.
Therefore, the abovementioned factors are expected to drive the segment to grow significantly and contribute to the overall market growth over the forecast period.
North America is Expected to Dominate the Market Over the Forecast Period
The healthcare BPO market is now led by North America, and this trend is predicted to continue for the next few years. In North America, the United States has the biggest market share.The United States healthcare system is a rapidly growing industry, which includes pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, medical equipment manufacturers, and medical care facilities. This complex industry infrastructure relies on specialized professionals who oversee these operations. High awareness levels about outsourcing healthcare IT services and the strong presence of prominent market players in the region are attributed to the regional market's growth.
Furthermore, rising government initiatives in the country are anticipated to drive the studied market growth in the country. For instance, in February 2022, the department of HHS awarded nearly USD 55 million to 29 HRSA-funded health centers to increase healthcare access and quality for underserved populations through virtual care. Virtual care has been a game-changer for patients, especially during the pandemic. Thus, the initiatives by government organizations are expected to drive market growth in the country.
In March 2022, CPSI, a healthcare solutions company, acquired Healthcare Resource Group Inc., based in Spokane, Washington. HRG is a leading provider of customized revenue cycle management ('RCM') solutions and consulting services that enable hospitals and clinics to improve efficiency, profitability, and patient satisfaction. Thus, the activities done by the major players are expected to drive the studied market growth in the country.
Furthermore, the increasing number of people seeking insurance, pressure to cut healthcare delivery costs, consolidation of the healthcare system, pharmaceutical companies facing patent cliffs, and the mandatory implementation of ICD-10 codes are the major factors propelling the growth of the United States healthcare BPO market.
Thus, the market is expected to grow in North America due to the abovementioned factors.
