Top Healthcare Trends for 2021

The new year is here! 2021 is expected to bring enormous satisfaction around the world. As 2020 didn't turn out to be a fair game, everyone's hope is toward 2021. What could promote more productivity in the healthcare industry for the next year? What healthcare trends will follow to expand the industry?

Enrollment season is just around the corner and is making healthcare professionals more enthusiastic to learn about the new healthcare trends 2021 will bring. Many are eager about the key healthcare trends for the next year. As we all know, healthcare trends don't remain constant over years. They change frequently, based on changes, and are expected to vary.

Let's learn the new changes or healthcare trends for the year 2021:

Rise in Healthcare Premiums
The opinion on healthcare premiums might vary and rise, but the increasing consensus is that premiums are expected to grow compared to previous years. According to sources, many healthcare professionals and employees predict the premium growth will range from 5.3% to 6.3%. On the other hand, PWC is also predicting that the average range will increase by 4-10%. Small practice employees are energizing for increases as high as 20%. Many employees are predicting a financial hit in the upcoming years. 

Due to COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders in 2020, which caused cancellations of elective and non-emergency procedures, many countries are facing a dip in medical spending. Since then, typical spending has overall returned, and total medical expenses have increased. Premiums are directly based on the previous year's claims experience. As many countries didn't find increasing COVID-19 expenses until summer, it's difficult to find overall trends of the full year's expenses. Therefore, healthcare professionals must watch out for healthcare trends and mid-year 2021 renewals.

Cost- Sharing Increases
Employees are already fighting against financial crisis, and beyond that, premiums might force them to consider lean and cost-sharing employee plans. It is the employees' duty to ensure that each dollar is maximized with health savings or flexible spending accounts.

Everything Goes Virtual
COVID-19 has introduced us to daily virtual life, which seems to be the new normal. Virtual classes, virtual gym training, virtual childcare, virtual healthcare, and the list goes on. But when it comes to the healthcare industry, the increasing healthcare trends for virtual healthcare and virtual enrollment are the most important topics that can't be ignored.

According to sources, almost 32% of employees prioritized the expansion of virtual and telehealth services. The way healthcare professionals prepare for it and address the increasing challenges and changes, as well as the need for virtual experiences, are key.

Support for Mental Health
The negative effects of mental health are said to become real this year. According to sources, many people were stressed when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and therefore, 70% of employees agree that reducing stress is a key objective for 2021. Several programs have been introduced and implemented for employees to reduce their stress and ease their work. Some of those programs include: flexible working hours, mental wellness programs, and access to healthcare savings or flexible spending accounts. 

Healthcare trends for 2021 will continue the support for mental health by allowing these programs and others to continue. While healthcare professionals found 2020 more challenging as the year was introduced and covered with COVID-19 cases, the solution is in process.

Expansion of Voluntary and Specialty Benefits
Healthcare trends for 2021 are aiming for better employment by realizing that location is no longer a barrier for many jobs. Undoubtedly, competition has increased more than ever, and for top talents, it has become even more difficult. Therefore, employers might consider voluntary and specialty account benefits.

Healthcare Trends and Apps for 2021
In the upcoming healthcare trends for 2021, healthcare apps are becoming more popular than before. Let's have a look at these apps and learn what they actually are!

Healthy Living Apps
These applications have been around for a while; however, 2021 offers a reasonable time to consider them with new features and users attending a greater focus on health. These apps allow users to measure calories, daily footsteps, water intake, heartbeat rate, sleep time, healthy food intake, and much more. The app provides necessary diet plans based on the data provided by the user. In the current pandemic, in which people are striving for a healthy lifestyle, this app covers it all with productivity and mental wellness hand-in-hand.

Clinical Reference Apps
These applications fit in healthcare trends for 2021 as they benefit patients who rely on daily medications, as well as those who require immediate medical guidance and care. It also aids healthcare professionals by providing access to E&M coding, ICD-10, and other reference materials.

Remote Monitoring Apps
Telehealth and telemedicine services can be easier with apps like these. It sure makes a difference and creates a mark in healthcare trends for 2021. When patients can't step out of their homes for treatment, remote monitoring apps can be the best solution for both healthcare professionals and patients. It tracks blood pressure, oxygen level, glucose readings, and much more.

Clinical and Diagnostic Apps
These apps allow healthcare professionals to share information securely and evaluate them as needed. Tracking patients' health and viewing test results attending necessary treatment is easier with apps like these.

Please keep in mind the healthcare trends and keys for 2021.  For more updates on healthcare, please subscribe to our blog. Remember to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.


QWay Healthcare
We provide Revenue Cycle Management Services and solutions that address the billing challenges of the U.S. healthcare industry. With a prompt and seamless flow of payments, and no day-to-day billing issues, you can now focus more on expanding the clientele base, add new healthcare specialties and treatment options, and acquire new business. https://qwayhealthcare.com