What trends can healthcare professionals expect to see in 2016? The Affordable Care Act will continue to have an impact, as will the increased use of big data and technology.

Kelly® is pleased to offer you this brief outlook on the most significant workforce trends expected to have an impact on talent in the healthcare industry in 2016. Thanks to our ongoing discussions with leading healthcare organizations and companies, we’re able to provide a unique perspective on the healthcare talent market for 2016 and beyond.

Increased demand for occupational healthcare As a result of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, every resident of the U.S. now has to meet an insurance requirement. With the costs of health insurance premiums already high and continuing to increase, healthcare benefits are a primary consideration for workers. The financial burden on employers is steep, however, with annual premiums for an individual exceeding $6,000 in 2014. For a family, premiums were almost $17,000. It’s only logical then that employers are invested in keeping their employees in good health.

This means there will be a skyrocketing demand for occupational healthcare professionals, specifically case managers and nurse practitioners, to provide preventative and primary healthcare in-house or at affiliated clinics. At the same time, the demand for wellness programs and nontraditional healthcare will continue to

for healthcare talent

2016 industry trends

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increase. It’s also important to understand that because this is an election year, there’s an element of uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act, since political change will likely trigger some further healthcare reforms.

Increased demand for extendersThe overwhelming numbers of newly insured, as well as the increasing numbers of Americans with pre-existing health conditions, places a heavy burden on hospitals. While many have in the past provided free services for uninsured patients, those same patients might not be able to pay their bills if they have a high deductible.

Consequently, hospitals are looking to reduce the number of patients they see in acute care. This involves employing more MDs who can provide primary care. However, with an existing shortage of primary care physicians, there will be a heightened demand for extenders; i.e., nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and occupational health nurse practitioners who can instead establish relationships with patients and provide their proactive primary care.

Virtual healthcareAn increasing number of healthcare providers offer virtual healthcare solutions for patients who aren’t mobile or who live in remote areas. This approach is especially effective for patients with chronic conditions. Telemedicine solutions include teleconferencing, emailing, texting, and interactive platforms for data sharing. Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare establishments are going to need IT talent to manage their communications networks, as well as healthcare professionals to function as telemedicine professionals. While this access is critical for the insured, there is an associated risk for patient privacy and protecting patient information.

ICD-10 medical coding and billing systemWith the publication of the 10th International Classification of Diseases, hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, and pharmacies will have to adapt their current computer coding system to match the new classifications. Since this is critical to maintaining correct, comprehensive patient records and producing accurate billing, there will be a steep demand for professionals who are experts on this new coding system.

To a certain extent, this will be in the hands of technology talent who install the new system and transfer old data. At the same time, healthcare personnel will need to be trained to use the new system. That means there will be a high demand for medical coders and billers that have experience with ICD-10 coding. With the supply for this talent low and demand high, there is an increasing need to grow or build this skill set within organizations.

Evidence-based careEver-more sophisticated technology is driving the creation of healthcare applications, devices, and wearables that collect and analyze patient data. This allows healthcare professionals to offer more personalized care while simultaneously offering patients ongoing support and feedback. All of this data needs to be transferred, stored, and analyzed securely—all in a manner that complies with government regulations. Technology talent will be in high demand to manage these large patient databases.

Your trusted partnerWith the need for qualified healthcare and IT talent, your skills are in high demand in today’s workforce. We hope that you find our 2016 healthcare talent trends report informative, and that you’ll consider Kelly when looking to connect with premier healthcare organizations around the world. Visit kellyservices.us/healthcarecareers to learn more about our great career opportunities.

Contact us today for more information:866.291.1506centralhealth@kellyservices.com