The Benefits of Outsourcing IT Services in Healthcare

With the increase of artificial intelligence alone, it’s clear that rapid technological advancement isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The information technology (IT) industry is no exception, particularly as the worldwide revenue for IT outsourcing is projected to reach over $770 billion by 2028. As a provider in the skilled nursing or senior living industry, you’ve likely realized the challenge of keeping up with competitors and business responsibilities while dealing with IT and data analytics.

Managing your IT department in-house can be costly and time-consuming, especially if you require certain technology or expertise that’s out of reach. By understanding how to outsource IT for your healthcare organization, you can focus on scaling your business while third-party providers handle everything from specific functions to all your IT needs.

The Rise of Healthcare IT Outsourcing

The ongoing shortage of healthcare workers continues to put a strain on providers and facilities. Due to the current lack of funding for training and education needed for healthcare professionals, the United States may see a shortage of over 120,000 providers by 2034. Implementing technology and automation is one of the most effective ways to alleviate the healthcare staffing crisis and create a better experience.

For healthcare facilities that may not have the technology or resources to streamline their IT workflows, outsourcing can eliminate much of the manual labor burden. As of 2022, healthcare IT outsourcing services have been in high demand due to the need to manage large amounts of patient data and the complexity of billing and reimbursement processes.

Now more than ever, healthcare providers recognize the benefits of increased operational efficiency, scalability and flexibility by delegating IT functions to third-party service providers. By 2030, the global healthcare outsourcing market size is expected to reach over $680 billion. Partnering with third-party IT vendors can mitigate the challenges of staffing, budget constraints and technology implementation.

What Healthcare IT Services Can You Outsource?

Outsourcing your healthcare IT services to a third-party provider means you’ll gain access to around-the-clock IT support for a variety of processes and tasks essential for your operations. External vendors provide a range of technologies, resources and expertise to streamline and standardize your IT processes, including:

• Medical billing
• Data entry
• Strategic planning
• Mobile device management 
• Enterprise reporting
• Cloud computing
• IT vendor management 
• Payroll Based Journal
• HIPAA IT risk assessment 
• Claims processing/analytics
• Coding 
• Quality assurance 
• Medical transcription
• Chart retrieval 
• Patient scheduling and follow-up
• Network maintenance 
• Compliance management
• Cybersecurity
• Data management 
• Finance and Accounting
• Human resources
• Sales
• Marketing
• Managing electronic health records
• Technology implementation
• Infrastructure management 

What Are the Benefits of Outsourcing IT in Healthcare?

In addition to enhancing the quality of your organization’s IT services, partnering with outsourcing providers can equip you with the tools you need to keep up with the evolving landscape of modern healthcare, resulting in various benefits.

1. Reduced Operational Costs

Outsourcing IT services can provide significant cost control. Maintaining in-house IT infrastructure and personnel can be costly, particularly if you fail to meet compliance or experience frequent data breaches. Because outsourced companies complete many of your routine tasks and maintenance with specialized partners, you can save money you currently spend on your IT department’s salaries, benefits, equipment and training.

With the time and money you save, you can prioritize internal operations and projects that grow your healthcare business. Outsourcing IT services can be an effective cost-reduction strategy because it also means you won’t need to acquire, maintain and upgrade technology as advancements roll out in the industry.

2. Access to Specialized Teams and Resources

Relying on external experts means your organizations won’t be limited to internal resources. When you outsource your IT healthcare services, you’ll gain access to a wealth of specialized knowledge, expertise and superior talent. This means your skilled nursing, senior housing or independent living communities can tap into the latest technological advancements that optimize efficiency and reduce redundancies across your organization.

The right outsourcing provider will give you peace of mind by effectively managing and streamlining your IT operations so you can focus on patient-centric activities.

3. Enhanced Compliance and Cybersecurity Measures

Non-compliance and data breaches can be extremely costly to resolve. Failing to adequately address data privacy risks can create a culture of non-compliance with regulations and laws, such as HIPAA. Maintaining compliance with this patient privacy law is a critical business requirement for all healthcare organizations.

If you currently lack the data security protocols, tools or experience to effectively handle these security risks, it can result in hefty fines and the risk of unauthorized access. Healthcare data breaches cost more than any other sector, with an average of nearly $11 million per incident.

When you outsource your IT services, you can put the responsibility in the hands of expert partners who are well-versed in HIPAA and other regulatory standards. Expert IT partners can mitigate risks, maintain a secure and ethical IT environment, meet compliance standards, and ensure your organization adheres to regulations.

4. Reliable Monitoring and Support

Healthcare data breaches have increased by nearly 60% since the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there has been a 337% increase in data breaches since 2018, with 2022 being ranked as the second-worst year for HIPAA compliance breaches.

Keeping your systems safe from hackers is essential for preventing downtime and improving business resilience. With an in-house IT team, it might not always be possible to have overnight or 24/7 availability. Outsourcing your healthcare IT services means you can rely on 24/7 monitoring that keeps your vital systems running efficiently at all times.

If you do face a disruption, your outsourced company can help keep your operations running, implement data recovery strategies and reduce the risk of lost data. Having access to reliable IT support around the clock can protect the integrity of your data and mitigate security threats — even when you’re not there.

5. Access to the Latest Technology and Innovations

Another benefit of outsourcing IT in healthcare is gaining access to the latest technology. With in-house IT departments, you may prolong the use of outdated storage options and solutions until it becomes more cost-effective to replace them. Outsourcing services give you access to the most up-to-date resources and proven solutions in the industry. As a result, your organization becomes less vulnerable to security risks associated with ineffective legacy systems.

Additionally, working with an external team means you partner with experts who can view IT challenges from a different angle, helping to implement innovative solutions you may not have considered. Having access to cutting-edge technologies drives your business to provide the highest quality service and experience for your patients.

6. Improved Flexibility and Scalability

As with any fast-paced industry, healthcare demands are constantly evolving. An in-house IT team may not always have the capability to stay agile in the face of evolving needs, such as scaling with your business. Outsourcing IT can offer the flexibility and scalability your business needs to expand your IT functions quickly and efficiently. Unlike long-term investments with specific IT professionals or solutions, partnering with a third-party provider means you can adjust your services as your needs change.

For example, if your healthcare business is growing, you need a provider that can meet your new IT requirements so you can dynamically scale in response to fluctuations. Relying on your own processes can make it challenging to pivot quickly and align with new patient care requirements.

As an added benefit, you won’t need to spend the time and money on installing and modifying infrastructure, including hardware, software and network management. Your internal teams won’t be overburdened because you can allocate resources where they’re needed.

7. Improved Focus on Patient Care

The number one priority of any healthcare business is providing quality patient care, delivering better patient outcomes and fostering improved patient satisfaction. However, putting too much time and effort into running your IT department can take away your focus on these primary operations.

Outsourcing healthcare IT enables you and your teams to prioritize the core functions of patient care. By liberating your staff from the complexities of IT management, they can focus on productivity and efficiency. Increased productivity often leads to higher-quality work, which directly impacts your patients and business reputation.

Less repetitive and time-consuming administrative tasks can also help reduce stress, fatigue and burnout in your health professionals and boost morale. When your teams have more time to devote to what matters most, your entire organization can collaborate to create a more impactful healthcare environment. Delegating tasks to outsourced teams enables you to address patient needs first.

8. Reduced Medical Billing Errors

Overburdened administrative healthcare teams are more likely to make data entry mistakes and coding errors, which can create complicated and costly challenges. Medical coding and billing can be a highly intricate process, especially if your teams lack the expertise and training needed to avoid these mistakes. Managing and automating your healthcare billing processes with outsourced IT services can help improve collections, reduce errors and support a better patient experience.

Outsourcing also means you can depend on a dedicated team of trained professionals to efficiently and effectively manage your patient records and accurately maintain your medical billing data. Fewer medical billing mistakes can also improve your revenue streams. Payroll Based Journal support helps ensure accuracy and can contribute to reduced employee turnover.

9. IT Integration and Implementation

With the increasing demand for automation and electronic solutions in the healthcare industry, it’s no secret that your business will need to shift to new systems. However, electronic billing and payments systems, cloud computing and electronic health records can be challenging to manage. If you’re short on staff and resources, this process can be extremely daunting.

Seeking the assistance of external healthcare IT experts to manage these complex systems can reduce the burden on your IT administration. Instead of dealing with the hassle of integrating new technologies and learning new software, you can devote your time to delivering the best possible care to your patients.

10. Provide a Competitive Edge

Healthcare system modernization can be time-consuming, but it’s necessary for accomplishing many business goals and initiatives. As a healthcare provider, you know the importance of gaining a competitive edge in the healthcare space. Without the tools and resources to keep up with other businesses and facilities, growing your business can be challenging. As many health systems are exploring new models of care, outsourcing can help you level the playing field — particularly if your healthcare organization is smaller.

Equipped with a wider talent pool, increased capabilities and valuable scalability, your business can employ critical agility in the face of unforeseen changes and fluctuating needs. Healthcare IT outsourcing can help you jumpstart your most important initiatives and facilitate planned growth with emerging technology. These strategies are vital to staying competitive in an increasingly competitive environment.

11. Tailored Solutions to Your Needs

A significant benefit of outsourcing IT infrastructure is that it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The right IT provider will tailor solutions to meet your needs and budget. Your outsourced IT strategic planning provider will carefully evaluate your healthcare business’s unique needs to ensure you have the highest degree of security and reliability.

With the right vendor, you can decide how much you want to outsource. Whether you want some extra support or a fully managed IT service, you can determine which functions you’d like to delegate to your provider. 

When it comes to IT outsourcing in healthcare, identifying your needs may not always be easy. Working with experienced professionals can provide you with a unique perspective on the gaps you need to address in your processes. From integrating your systems to strengthening your cybersecurity measures, the right provider will give you a comprehensive view of your needs.

Gain the Full Benefits of Healthcare IT Outsourcing With Prelude Services

Your healthcare organization can take advantage of these strategic IT outsourcing benefits to improve your services and stay competitive. Working with a trusted outsourcing provider is essential if you want to meet your desired outcomes, including cost savings and enhanced patient care. The right company on your side can make all the difference in helping you deliver the best services possible while expanding your organization.

At Prelude Services, it’s our goal to address your IT needs and create tailored solutions for important technology management processes. Our experts are here to help you optimize your healthcare company’s time, money and resources. Leveraging our outsourced IT support, security and management services can help your senior living facility or healthcare organization focus on providing quality care.

We invite you to contact us today if you want to learn more about how our services can transform your organization’s efficiency.