The U.S. patient portal market is expected to reach $898.4 million by 2017, up from $279.8 million last year, according to a new analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Healthcare IT News reports. Such growth represents a 221% increase.
According to the report, the majority of revenue will result from:
- Greater consumer interest in health IT;
- Increased demand to meet Stage 2 meaningful use requirements; and
- The industry transitioning to clinical integration and accountable care.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.
The report found that nearly 50% of hospitals currently possess patient portal technology, compared with about 40% of ambulatory practices (Manos, Healthcare IT News, 9/27).
KLAS Research Finds Patient Portals Are a “Must Have” Technology
A separate report by KLAS Research found that patient portals are now a “must have” technology for physicians and hospitals, InformationWeek reports.
The survey of more than 200 health care providers found that:
- 95% of respondents said their patient portals include data from ambulatory EHRs;
- 33% said their portals include data from inpatient EHRs;
- 14% said their portals include information from health information exchanges; and
- 11% said their portals include data from other EHRs.
However, the survey found that many patient portals do not meet providers’ needs in areas such as patient engagement (Terry, InformationWeek, 9/25).
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