5 healthcare technology trends, priorities, and predictions for 2022

1. HIPAA and the 21st Century Cures Act come to the forefront

With the importance of data on the rise, a top healthcare technology trend concerns the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and how it relates to the more recent 21st Century Cures Act.

While HIPAA required the creation of national standards to prevent disclosure of patients’ health information without their knowledge or consent, the Cures Act, signed into law in 2016, focuses in large part on information and access, both for patients and for providers, with a goal to advance interoperability. It requires that patients have easy access to electronic health information “without delay,” which online patient portal access can help provide.

A good first step for a practice grappling with HIPAA and the Cures Act is to make sure its policies related to each law exist in harmony and do not contradict each other. With patients at the center of the value-based care model, improved communication between healthcare providers and patients is essential.

2. Healthcare data security risks loom large

While digital solutions have driven adoption of the value-based care model, cyberattacks and other security breaches have shined a spotlight on technological flaws, motivating healthcare IT executives and practice administrators to take a closer look.

The healthcare industry has seen a major increase in cybersecurity breaches. They occur at a higher rate in healthcare than in any other U.S. industry. The continued use of outdated systems such as EHRs with insufficient security mechanisms is often cited as the reason the healthcare industry is vulnerable.

This so-called “costliest breach” had an average price tag of $9.23 million in 2021, according to IBM.

Meanwhile, 16% of healthcare practices said they encountered some form of cyberattack or ransomware in 2021, a Feb. 15, 2022, MGMA Stat poll found. While the larger targets may get more attention, organized attacks on smaller businesses often begin with minimum financial goal, according to MGMA.

Many practices, faced with these realities, have opted to move from on-premise servers to cloud-based EHRs. In the cloud, healthcare practices can access security expertise along with automated, compliant, version upgrades and simplified pricing. Thus, an innovative technology, such as Greenway Secure Cloud, makes day-to-day operations simpler and more manageable.

3. Telehealth is the new expectation

Patients and providers relied on other innovative healthcare technology for support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. One prominent example is telehealth, another top healthcare technology trend of 2022. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) broadened access to telehealth reimbursement at the onset of the pandemic, as did other payers. As a result, more patients still participate in virtual visits today.

Many practices that launched telehealth services during the pandemic have moved from their initial telehealth solution to a virtual care solution that is integrated with their EHR. Using an integrated solution, practices can deliver telehealth without interrupting their established workflows.

The use of telehealth for medical visits, including behavioral health appointments, took some getting used to for many patients but is now firmly established as standard practice. Still, the transition came with some rather costly challenges. Now, healthcare IT executives — whose job it is to collect, manage, and protect patient data — are focused on investing in technology solutions.

4. Device integration shines light on security, compliance concerns 

At the same time, the growing popularity of personalized medicine and using interconnected technologies have led to an increased use of wearable devices and bespoke approaches to monitoring and managing certain medical treatment and services.

As services such as remote patient monitoring (RPM) continue to grow, there remain concerns about privacy and potential data breaches considering the likely vulnerabilities of home internet services. Patients, therefore, need assurance that their health data will remain private and confidential.

This healthcare IT challenge must be managed not just for patients’ sake, but also to ensure compliance with national laws. In light of the rise of devices and RPM, practices must prioritize cybersecurity, along with adherence to HIPAA guidelines, retiring vulnerable EHRs, and moving to a secure, web-based EHR.

5. Burnout continues its streak

Dealing with cyber threats, new regulations, and telehealth — not to mention caring for a community amid a pandemic — have left greater numbers of healthcare providers burned out. Many of these providers have taken to social media to weigh in on another cause (and symptom) of burnout: high staff turnover, labor shortages, and the severe lack of resources needed to administer optimal care.

Already, providers must navigate tiresome processes to ensure payment for services through accurate and timely reimbursement submissions. The prior authorization process, which was supposed to help alleviate some of this stress, has made the obligation even more burdensome, further contributing to the burnout driving labor shortages — and so goes the perpetual cycle.

In this scenario, increasing time with patients and improving their experiences, while also ensuring the bottom line stays intact, is the objective. Any technology that reduces stress and burnout may help the practice realize these aims.

Automation is a top healthcare technology trend in 2022, as automated solutions can give practice staff and providers valuable time back in their day. In addition, automation can improve access to information for patients in compliance with the Cures Act and provide support for healthcare providers as well.

Where do we go from here? Act now on emerging healthcare technology trends

The healthcare industry was changing before the pandemic hit. Now, in its wake, practices face a more nuanced and complex landscape.

New technology requires learning and adjustment, yet it offers new ways to gather patient information and automate tasks to bring much-needed relief.

While practices must consider new laws and regulations, data security remains a top priority.