Challenges await the healthcare industry, which is still recovering nearly four years after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Insurers and hospitals face rising costs while digital health companies struggle to strategize after years-low levels of investment.

In Washington, federal regulators may shape the stage for the industry after antitrust agencies revised merger guidelines last year that could chill dealmaking.

Meanwhile, cybersecurity concerns threaten all corners of the healthcare industry as attacks and breaches spike. Healthcare organizations may be required to beef up their own cyber standards this year as states could move to instill stronger data security regulations.

But hope is still on the horizon this year, experts told Healthcare Dive.

Health technology companies are building infrastructure for generative artificial intelligence capabilities to capitalize on interest that exploded last year.

Hospitals, inching toward sustained profitability, will divest from under-performing and costly service lines in 2024 while increasing investments in ambulatory care services. Providers will also build grow-your-own nursing programs in a bid to increase recruitment.

Additionally, insurers are investing in mental health and substance use disorder services to curb costs, and will move away from point-solutions toward integrated benefits platforms.

Large system-to-system mergers in noncontiguous markets are likely to face closing delays and, to counteract potential scrutiny, health systems may seek non-traditional partnerships with technology giants, retailers or telecom companies to avoid scrutiny

Insurers will continue vertically integrating to keep more revenue in-house, and federal scrutiny will also affect pharmacy benefit managers as they unveil new programs they bill as more transparent following Congressional inquiries. 

Healthcare Dive caught up with industry experts to share the top healthcare trends of 2024. Read more below: