Calling healthcare a balancing act is probably not doing it justice: Costs are rising, reimbursements are dwindling, and Medicaid is under the knife, but health organizations are still tasked with providing the highest quality of care to the most people they can without breaking the bank.
Under unprecedented financial strain, providers and payers need to optimize operations and trim the budget wherever they can, but never at the expense of quality patient care. That’s why many are investing strategically in technologies that can drive efficiency and clinical value at the same time.
A number of tools, including application rationalization, AI-powered automation, telehealth, remote monitoring, and predictive analytics, let health systems streamline operations, improve access, and deliver more personalized care while at the same time saving millions in operational costs.
But organizations that chase every innovation blindly are likely to end up disappointed. Those taking a data-driven approach to identifying inefficiencies, engaging clinical and administrative stakeholders, and balancing short-term wins with long-term strategy are those that will successfully navigate a challenging environment.
The Data-Driven Assessment
Before they adopt new tools, organizations should thoroughly assess their current technology ecosystem. Too often, underused or duplicative applications drain budgets and complicate workflows and act as a drag on operations.
Application rationalization, or systematically retiring redundant or low-value software, frees up resources for innovations that can make a measurable impact. Mapping utilization, licensing costs, and user satisfaction across clinical and administrative systems will show where dollars can be trimmed and reinvested.
Forward-looking organizations are putting resources to work in the following areas:
Telehealth: The pandemic was a jumping-off point for telehealth. Considered niche before COVID lockdowns, virtual care is now a pillar of healthcare delivery. Utilization by Medicare recipients skyrocketed from 5 million visits pre-pandemic to more than 53 million during the pandemic.
Though usage has since dropped somewhat, telehealth is now deeply embedded in care delivery. Nearly 80% of U.S. hospitals now connect patients and practitioners through video or digital platforms, according to the American Hospital Association. Dispelling concerns that telehealth adds unnecessary visits, a study by Epic of 35 million patient records found that across 33 specialties, most telehealth visits did not require an in-person follow-up within 90 days.
Telehealth also addresses a pressing workforce challenge: a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Virtual care expands clinician reach, enabling providers to manage patient panels more efficiently and extending access to underserved regions.
Remote Patient Monitoring: Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is the next wave in the evolution of telehealth. It enables continuous care between visits and generates valuable data on health every step of the way. By collecting real-time physiological information like heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels, RPM gives care teams a window into day-to-day patient health, letting them intervene early before minor issues turn into complications and costly hospitalizations.
For people managing chronic conditions, daily insights into their health and proactive interventions when readings fall outside safe ranges can mean the difference between sickness and health.
RPM has demonstrated a meaningful financial impact for organizations. Studies show significant reductions in emergency department utilization, readmissions, and average length of stay. By shifting some care from clinical settings to the home, providers can improve health outcomes while reducing the total cost of care. It’s a place where they can balance the budget with the mission.
AI and Automation: While telehealth and RPM are reshaping the point of care, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are rewiring healthcare organizations’ back offices. The healthcare revenue cycle, known for inefficiency and heavy administrative burden, is being redesigned. According to an AKASA and HFMA survey, nearly half of hospitals now use AI in their revenue operations, and 74% use some form of automation.
AI and robotic process automation (RPA) can handle repetitive, rules-based tasks like claims status checks, eligibility verification, and denial management, which frees up staff to focus on higher-value work. Healthcare call centers have boosted productivity by up to 30% by using generative AI, while improving accuracy and patient satisfaction, according to McKinsey & Co.
When paired with natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, AI-driven automation can go beyond back-office efficiency. It can analyze unstructured clinical notes, bring new insights to medical diagnoses and predict bottlenecks in care delivery before they occur.
Predictive Analytics: Predictive analytics are one of healthcare’s most exciting new frontiers. Using vast datasets, from electronic health records to imaging to laboratory systems, predictive models can identify at-risk patients, anticipate surges in emergency room visits, and help with the all-important allocation of healthcare resources
Rather than reacting to crises, healthcare organizations can use predictive analytics to plan ahead, deploying staff and resources where they are, or where they will be, needed most. On the clinical side, predictive tools help health systems and hospitals tailor medical interventions based on individual risk profiles, which improves outcomes and personalizes care. Analytics can also help providers understand and begin to address the social determinants of health by uncovering patterns of disparity and then helping guide targeted outreach.
Data-driven foresight, made possible with predictive analytics, moves healthcare from a reactive operation into a proactive one. This reduces preventable hospital admissions, improves efficiency and supports the shift toward personalized medicine and value-based care.
The Alignment Between Cost and Care
For the healthcare industry, advanced data technologies have gone from being nice-to-haves to being must-haves. They are essential tools for achieving the dual goals of financial sustainability and high-quality care for patients.
But technology alone is not the answer. The key is aligning technologies with the organization’s long- and short-term goals, and opting for solutions that address genuine inefficiencies, integrate seamlessly with existing systems and make a real difference in terms of costs and health outcomes.
The data-driven future of healthcare will belong to organizations that can balance immediate financial relief with long-term transformation. Investing wisely in telehealth, remote monitoring, automation, predictive analytics and other must-have technologies is more than a cost-saving strategy. It’s an investment in better care for every patient.
In healthcare, efficiency and empathy should never be at cross-purposes. Both can be achieved, and some organizations will do just that.
About Vikram Singh:
Vikram Singh is the Chief Revenue Officer, Healthcare, at Infinite Computer Solutions, with over 25 years of experience in digital information technology and services. He specializes in healthcare digital business solutions and sales. In his role, Vikram leads a global team of sales professionals delivering innovative and transformative solutions to healthcare clients worldwide.
He also serves on the Digital Health Board and Technology Council at Children’s Minnesota, collaborating with the CIO, board members, and external advisors to advance digital transformation strategies for this leading pediatric institution in the Midwest.
Vikram’s mission is to help healthcare providers enhance patient outcomes, improve operational efficiency, and elevate patient and member satisfaction through cutting-edge technology and data-driven solutions.
