The future’s looking bright for digital health after the Peterson Health Technology Institute’s 2024 State of Digital Health Purchasing Survey found that decision-makers across the industry are ramping up their tech investments.
- The headlining stat: 97% of employers, 86% of health systems, and 84% of health plans intend to maintain or increase digital health spending in the coming year.
Three quarters of purchasers have already grown their budget for new solutions, motivated primarily by consumer demand (83%) and improved outcomes (62%).
- Cost advantages were cited as a top investment driver for 60% of health plans and 49% of health systems, versus just 34% of employers.
- Across all three groups, 43% have acquired enough solutions to address 6+ conditions, and it was interesting to see how their clinical priorities varied.
Purchasers are more hawk-eyed than ever when it comes to their contracts and vetting processes.
- 59% of contracts have a duration under two years, leaving a short window for solutions to demonstrate clinical improvements and illustrate their value.
- When comparing vendors, a proven track record was usually the deciding factor, beating out both ROI and ease-of-use for every group.
Looking ahead to next year, value-based care is top of mind, with 100% of employers expressing interest in risk-based contracts for new solutions, as well as 60% of health plans and 50% of health systems. Other top goals include:
- 72% of health plans are looking to reduce costs and improve member experience
- 74% of employers are looking to improve productivity
- 80% of health systems are looking to improve patient experience
The Takeaway
Health plans, employers, and health systems all seem to be embracing the transformative magic of digital health, and this report gave vendors a way stack their decks with data on the unique priorities of each group.
