Key Healthcare Finance Trends for 2025

As the healthcare industry changes, financial trends evolve with it. Staying current on these developments—such as shifting payment models and innovative technologies—helps professionals navigate new challenges and opportunities.

This article examines the key healthcare finance trends for 2025 and why keeping pace with industry changes is important.

1. Rising national healthcare costs

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, healthcare costs are rising, with U.S. spending expected to reach $7.7 trillion in 2032. Factors such as inflation, reduced reimbursements and caring for sicker patients drive this increase.

Despite rising healthcare costs, Jeff Francis, MBA, executive healthcare MBA faculty member in the Heider College of Business at Creighton University and CFO of Methodist Health System, notes there is good news: “According to a recently published study in the JAMA Health Forum journal, the obesity rate decreased for the first time in many years. This could have favorable implications down the road by reducing obesity-related chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.”

Francis explains that “the decrease in obesity is likely due to the new class of GLP-1 drugs, which can add thousands of dollars of expense annually for each patient.” This shows how innovative healthcare solutions can simultaneously yield positive outcomes and contribute to rising expenses for care recipients. 

2. Ongoing financial challenges and cost control

Financial challenges continue to impact healthcare systems, with rising costs and workforce shortages making decisions difficult. Leaders are addressing this with a focus on controlling costs and driving growth—particularly through improved patient financing options and automated financial processes.

The report outlines two key leadership factors for strategic success:

• Meaningful collaboration
• Trust among all parties involved

3. Continued workforce shortages and retention issues

The Association of American Medical Colleges reports a growing workforce shortage in healthcare. By 2036, demand is expected to exceed supply due to factors such as early retirements and barriers to access. This could result in fewer primary care doctors and specialists, highlighting the need for more medical training and better access to care.

4. Enhancing the financial experience for patients

The patient financial experience is evolving as healthcare adopts digital payment methods. This includes mobile wallets, real-time payments and buy now, pay later (BNPL) options. These tools aim to enhance convenience and streamline cash flow while lowering costs for both providers and patients.

Embracing these innovations can help healthcare organizations boost patient satisfaction and support value-based care initiatives.

5. Investing in technology and digital transformation

Healthcare providers are ramping up investments in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and system integration. According to Bain & Company, 80% of healthcare executives increased spending on technology in 2023 in response to:

• Emerging solutions
• Labor shortages
• Financial pressures

Solutions that streamline processes and offer clear benefits can help improve care and long-term efficiency.

6. Exploring automation in revenue cycle management 

Francis explains that “healthcare is one of the last industries to adopt automation” due to the complications of “individual physicians, facilities, insurance companies and providers of insurance—whether government or employer.”

Still, automation in revenue cycle management (RCM) offers a promising solution for rising costs and workforce shortages. By streamlining tasks—such as claims and payments—the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare estimates that providers could save nearly $25 billion annually. These fully electronic transactions could improve efficiency.

Francis shares that his team started to explore the use of generative AI to create more efficient processes and improve the standardization of outcomes. To date, they’ve had personal success with robotic process automation in their health system.

7. Improving growth strategies

Healthcare organizations are focusing on four main growth areas:

• Outpatient services
• Telehealth
• Home care
• Mergers and acquisitions

These strategies aim to improve patient access and care delivery while offering clear opportunities to strengthen financial health and support long-term success.

The report also reveals that 49% of healthcare executives see growth as their top challenge. As a result, strong partnerships and trust are key to strategic success. Francis emphasizes that healthcare providers must recognize the benefits of collaboration to bring in more expertise than they have in some areas.

8. Focusing on health equity

Optum reports that addressing health equity is crucial for improving outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. Disparities could lead to costs exceeding $1 trillion by 2040, but building trust with underserved communities and using reliable data could help close the gaps. 

9. Competing in a changing landscape

Traditional healthcare providers face growing competition in 2025, with Francis noting there’s a wave of new entrants in healthcare. This includes retail giants such as CVS, Walmart and Amazon expanding into primary care, telehealth and home health. This shift may lead to revenue loss from outpatient services and related referrals, but it also offers opportunities for providers to form partnerships and stay competitive.

“Some for-profit companies that ventured into new areas have divested or changed course," Francis explains. "There have also been fintech companies trying to enter the third-party payer space that are no longer viable.” He emphasizes the importance of keeping pace with healthcare technology and responding appropriately—all while maintaining the health system’s mission, vision and values.

Why staying informed on healthcare finance trends matters

As uncertainty grows and tough trade-offs arise in healthcare, staying informed helps leaders make decisions that:

• Strengthen financial health
• Address workforce shortages
• Reduce risks
• Identify growth opportunities
• Boost overall efficiency

Keeping up with trends is also essential for healthcare professionals, as it can directly affect patient outcomes. This knowledge helps leaders prioritize patient-centered care, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, use data-driven decision-making and adapt to emerging technologies.

Explore healthcare finance trends at Creighton University

Staying ahead of healthcare finance trends leads to stronger leadership in the industry. The Executive Healthcare MBA program at Creighton University is designed to help healthcare professionals develop skills to navigate these trends while becoming values-based advocates. Request more information today.