Deltek predicts federal spending on healthcare IT systems will rise from approximately $4.5 billion in 2011 to $6.5 billion in 2016. This expansion equates to a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7.5 percent during the period.
This growth can be attributed to an aging population, increasing healthcare costs and the high unemployment rate, Deltek found. Furthermore, HITECH and the Affordable Care Act will contribute to increased federal healthcare IT spending.
In the long term, efforts to increase spending now will hopefully create an environment in which the healthcare sector becomes more sustainable and cost-efficient, leading to lower operating in the future, according to Deltek.
Outsourcing could be one avenue for increased current investments and reduced long-term spending. Investing in data center outsourcing services from a HIPAA compliant hosting provider gives medical providers access to the IT resources they need with minimal capital costs and improved operational capabilities.
