06/02/2026
Health systems are facing a familiar challenge that is becoming harder to ignore: a growing population of patients with complex chronic conditions driving a disproportionate share of healthcare cost and utilization. These patients cycle repeatedly through emergency departments, inpatient admissions, and outpatient care. Their needs are ongoing, yet many care models remain oriented around treating acute episodes rather than managing the underlying drivers of disease.
At the same time, reimbursement is increasingly tied to outcomes, total cost of care, and performance across the continuum, not just services delivered within hospital walls. The implication is clear: improving outcomes and controlling costs requires influencing what happens before a patient arrives and after they leave…
