Healthcare has the potential to undergo fundamental transformations in the new year, and those changes will be driven by technology and innovation. The most pressing issues in healthcare — including staffing shortages, limited access, and operational inefficiencies — won’t be completely alleviated in 2025, but effective tools and strategies will help the industry move in the right direction. From advancements in AI to innovative new uses for Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), several key trends are emerging that will help shape healthcare in 2025 and beyond. Staying ahead of these changes is essential to deliver effective care, optimize resources, and ensure organizational sustainability.
1. Remote Patient Monitoring Will Help Offset Staffing Challenges
The healthcare staffing crisis is not new, but it has grown into a problematic norm. Nursing shortages, strained IT teams, and an overwhelmed primary care workforce have left providers scrambling to deliver care amidst mounting pressure. This is where RPM programs shine, giving healthcare organizations a scalable solution to extend quality care to patients without exacerbating staffing shortages.
By enabling daily patient monitoring, RPM reduces the burden on frontline staff. One study where women with gestational diabetes were assigned to an RPM program revealed a significant 56% decrease in overall medical visits without compromising pregnancy outcomes — crucial at a time when appointments are often unavailable due to understaffing. By achieving such significant results, RPM is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare.
Its impact is becoming increasingly clear. RPM will become even more of a driver in paving the way for widespread adoption of virtual care, optimizing healthcare delivery, and freeing up staff to focus on high-priority cases requiring hands-on support.
2. Tailoring Virtual Care to Social Determinants Will Expand Rural Healthcare Reach
Rural Americans often face unique healthcare challenges due to geographic isolation and insufficient access to specialized care. Research has shown that distance, hospital closures, and limited specialists disproportionately affect rural communities. When implemented thoughtfully, RPM can transform access to quality healthcare for underserved populations by using local resources as a lifeline to build trust and improve patient outcomes. However, a strategy is required for it to be effective. A simple plug-and-play model won’t work in rural areas.
To increase impactful care delivery in 2025, programs should be run by patients’ primary care physicians or other familiar providers. This fosters trust — a vital aspect, as rural patients are less likely to engage with providers they aren’t acquainted with. The Michigan Center for Rural Health launched a pilot PRM program in three communities and found that patients introduced to RPM by their trusted care providers enrolled at rates more than eight times higher than those who were sent a letter or contacted by someone they didn’t know. This underscores the importance of RHCs adopting monitoring programs, lest they risk losing patients to outside players like Amazon, Walmart, and other retail giants that are increasingly expanding into healthcare services. By offering RPM, safety-net providers can maintain patient loyalty, improve health outcomes, and remain competitive.
In addition, a new incentive is on the horizon for RHCs to expand their care management services. Starting January 2025, the general G0511 HCPCS code will be phased out in favor of RHCs and FQHCs using specific codes for care coordination activities instead. This change, which will be fully implemented by July 2025, aligns RHCs and FQHCs with other fee-for-service programs, opening up higher reimbursement opportunities. Notably, the monitoring time required to bill for RPM does not need to be provided by the physician or in-house staff, but can be done under the general supervision of the billing provider, allowing RHCs who wish to implement this flexibility amidst staffing shortages.
3. Pairing of Continuous Glucose Monitoring and GLP-1s Will Improve Metabolic Health
Chronic disease management, particularly for diabetes, is ripe for disruption. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems paired with once-weekly GLP-1 medications hold the promise to unlock a new, more efficient approach to managing chronic diseases, benefiting both patients and providers.
CGM devices have already shown that real-time data empowers patients to understand how their habits impact glucose levels. Combined with GLP-1 drugs that lower blood sugar and have been shown to lead to weight loss, it’s a revolutionary approach to tackling one of healthcare’s most significant cost drivers.
In addition to providing a proactive way to manage diabetes, overweight and obesity, this burgeoning duo also aligns closely with RPM programs. Patients can share their CGM data directly with RPM platforms, ensuring their healthcare teams stay informed and take necessary action in near real-time.
4. New Primary Care Codes Will Open the Door to Broader Adoption of Proactive Patient Population Management
Advanced Primary Care Management (APCM) codes are creating an avenue for practice to enroll patients in a new model of care, similar to Chronic Care Management but without the specific time requirements. This change will allow capabilities like AI to finally flex its potential in healthcare, especially where automation is concerned. Unlike time-based codes, APCM codes make it viable to more aggressively leverage technology such as AI to process significant amounts of data and deliver actionable insights to providers without inflating administrative time.
Yet, providers and patients have mixed feelings about trusting AI fully in decision-making. A recent study revealed that descriptions listing AI among a product’s capabilities can actually diminish consumer trust. Healthcare organizations must thus exercise caution in integrating AI into care delivery to avoid compromising patient confidence. For now, automation presents a more feasible entry point for integration, with more complex diagnostic uses remaining on the horizon.
Despite these challenges, the value proposition of AI in healthcare remains strong. Tasks like image processing, predictive analytics, and streamlining diagnostic workflows already benefit from AI. One exciting development to watch for in 2025 is the advancement of AI models that break down data silos, offering providers with a comprehensive view of their patients’ care journeys, from hospitalization to rehabilitation to homecare.
5. Organizational Involvement from the Top Down Will Strengthen Cybersecurity
The healthcare industry is a magnet for cyberattacks due to the value of sensitive patient information. In a survey of 653 IT security staff in U.S. healthcare organizations, 54% of respondents said their organizations experienced ransomware attacks in 2023. With strict privacy regulations like HIPAA in place, the consequences of breaches are far-reaching, affecting both patient trust and organizational bottom lines.
Unfortunately, the rapid digitization of healthcare records and connected devices has further exposed vulnerabilities. Organizations must now prioritize cybersecurity at every level — hardware, software, and networks — to safeguard against catastrophic losses and ensure operational resilience. The solution doesn’t lie solely in IT frameworks. In 2025, it will require more operational involvement and collaboration from executives and administrators who understand the scope of these vulnerabilities and are prepared to implement long-term, proactive strategies.
The Takeaway
The healthcare landscape in 2025 will be defined by innovation, adaptability, and a relentless focus on delivering high-quality care with limited resources. By embracing creative solutions, collaborative approaches, and cutting-edge technologies, organizations can transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s successes. Although addressing critical issues like staffing shortages and equitable access to care will require significant and sustained effort, the right tools and strategies can help the healthcare industry achieve substantial improvements in operational efficiency and establish a sustainable care model for the future.
Lucienne Ide
Lucienne Marie Ide, M.D., PH.D., is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rimidi, a leading clinical management platform designed to optimize clinical workflows, enhance patient experiences and achieve quality objectives. She brings her diverse experiences in medicine, science, venture capital and technology to bear in leading Rimidi’s strategy and vision. Motivated by the belief that we can do so much better as individuals, in industry and society, Lucie left clinical medicine to join the ranks of healthcare entrepreneurs who are trying to revolutionize an industry.
