The use of medical case management continues to grow in all settings. Offsite medical case management, in particular, is experiencing significant growth. According to data released by ReportLinker and reported by Yahoo Finance on August 1, 2023, the offsite medical case management market size is projected to grow from $4.97 billion in 2023 to $5.94 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65% during the forecast period of 2023-2028. Cited as drivers for this growth projection was the increase in the number of patients with chronic diseases, the graying of America with more seniors requiring case management services, and the increased use of technology to support remote/virtual medical care management. Here are some other drivers also impacting the need for and growth of offsite medical case management.
Increasing Cancer Rates
Based on the American Cancer Society’s 2023 data, the number of cancer cases is expected to reach over 1.9 million in the United States by the end of 2023 with gastrointestinal cancers rising and having a significant impact on the projected number of cases. This will increase the need for web-based case management services in subsequent years.
Innovation
Some medical case management firms are also driving increased use of off-site case management through their innovation. For example, new telehealth platforms have been developed which offer innovative integrated nurse help lines and telemedicine programs. The platform features a user-friendly dashboard accessible from any PC or mobile device. Easy to use and cost-effective, they are a convenient way for individuals to promptly address a medical concern.
Individuals with a medical problem call into a dedicated toll-free line (24/7/365 access across the U.S. and Puerto Rico) staffed by experienced Registered Nurses (RNs) based in the U.S. The RN conducts a virtual intake, recording all contact information, symptoms/reasons for the call, and updates the patient’s Electronic Health Record. The RN then triages the call – either assisting the patient directly or transitioning the call and information to a physician, health advocate or behavioral health professional. The platform has already been proven to reduce medical claims, co-pays, and coinsurance costs due to avoiding a visit to the Emergency Department, Urgent Care or physician office. Other innovations include digital concierge medical services to address chronic care management needs.
Additionally, new to the offsite medical case management market are new clinical remote case management initiatives which provide experienced, U.S.-based RNs and Medical Assistants to assist with various remote functions. These functions range from monitoring the electronic medical record system for incoming messages, reviewing lab results, and processing medication refills, to scheduling appointments, triaging patients, completing telephonic assessments, providing patient referrals and patient education, and providing clinical advice based on established symptom protocols and evidence-based guidelines. These virtual services deliver enhanced patient experienced, operational efficiencies, and labor savings, while addressing healthcare’s ongoing labor shortages.
The growing need for offsite case management coupled with the latest trends and innovations is likely to see this market continue growing.