Referral Management Global Market Report 2024

Referral management involves the systematic process of transitioning patients to the next level of care, particularly during critical situations such as an escalation in care needs or a change in diagnosis. This practice is employed in health systems to mitigate patient leakage, enhance care coordination, and ensure that patients receive the necessary care.

The main types of referral management are self-referral, professional-referral, and third-party-referral. Self-referral management encompasses services for issues such as drug and alcohol problems, antenatal care, and improved access to psychological therapy. Professional-referral involves physicians ordering imaging tests that are conducted at a facility they own or lease. Various components, including software and services, contribute to the efficacy of referral management, and these are delivered through modes such as web-based, cloud-based, and on-premise delivery. Referral management is utilized by providers, payers, and other end-users within the healthcare system.

The referral management market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides referral management market statistics, including referral management industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a referral management market share, detailed referral management market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the referral management industry. This referral management market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The referral management market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $4.03 billion in 2023 to $4.78 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.7%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to the expansion of healthcare services and patient referrals, an increased demand for coordinated care and specialist access, the widespread adoption of electronic health records and data sharing, the development of referral management software, and the implementation of regulatory standards addressing patient data privacy.

The referral management market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.14 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the development of customized referral management solutions tailored for specific healthcare organizations, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics in referral processes, the adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly referral management practices, the expansion of digital health and remote monitoring, and the increased adoption of referral management in population health strategies. Key trends expected in the forecast period encompass a focus on regulatory compliance in patient data security and referral processes, the emergence of smart and automated referral management solutions, the provision of personalized referral pathways to meet specific patient needs, an emphasis on transparency in referral networks and patient outcomes, and the integration of AI for real-time referral optimization.

The growth of the referral management market is anticipated to be propelled by government initiatives aimed at incorporating IT solutions into healthcare systems. Such initiatives represent significant actions or statements by the government to address public issues. Information technology plays a crucial role in the healthcare industry, facilitating the delivery of more precise, actionable, and accessible information related to patients' health. An example of such a initiative is the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission launched by the Indian government in 2021, with an allocated budget of $11.5 billion from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This project aims to digitize health infrastructure in India, thereby driving the growth of the referral management market.

The growth of the referral management market is also expected to be fueled by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Chronic diseases are long-term health conditions that progress slowly and persist over an extended period. Referral management systems and solutions are crucial in streamlining the referral process, ensuring that patients with chronic conditions receive timely and appropriate care from specialists and other healthcare providers. According to the National Library of Medicine, the number of people in the US aged 50 and older with at least one chronic condition is projected to reach 142.66 million by 2050. Hence, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases is a key factor driving the growth of the referral management market.

Major companies operating in the referral management market are developing innovative solutions, such as the Enterprise Referral Manager. This software centralizes referrals and integrates referral data into Electronic Health Records (EHR) to enhance the referral process. For instance, WellSky, a US-based healthcare technology company, introduced the Enterprise Referral Manager in October 2023. This solution transforms referral, intake, and customer relationship management processes for home health, hospice, and other home-based care agencies by streamlining workflows and accelerating patient care initiation.

The strategic partnerships are becoming increasingly prevalent among major companies in the referral management market as a means of developing innovative solutions. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources for mutual benefits. For example, in March 2023, the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) collaborated with ReferralPoint, a US-based provider of referral management solutions. This partnership aims to help providers lower network costs and leakage, enhance efficiency, and improve patient satisfaction, offering opportunities for optimizing fee-for-service and value-based care efforts.

In January 2021, AristaMD, a US-based company providing e-consult and referral management services, acquired Preferral. This acquisition enables AristaMD to advance technologies in referral management, enhance care, and provide services at lower costs. Preferral, a US-based company specializing in referral analytics and online referral forms, contributes to the development of robust referral management systems.

Major companies operating in the referral management market include Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., CarePort Health Inc., The Advisory Board Company, eHealth Technologies Inc., Kyruus Inc., Arcadia Data Inc., Dental Care Links LLC, McKesson Corporation, ReferralMD Inc., Keet Health Inc., Change Healthcare Holdings Inc., Conifer Health Solutions LLC, Fibroblast Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., athenahealth Inc., Cerner Corporation, Eceptionist Inc., InSync Healthcare Solutions LLC, AristaMD Inc., HealthLinkNow Inc., Healthgrades Operating Company Inc., HealthTap Inc., Healthwise Inc., Healthcare Resource Services LLC, Innovaccer Inc., InteliChart Inc., Luma Health Inc., Medici Technologies Inc., Medtronic PLC, MyHealthDirect Inc., NextGen Healthcare Inc., Nudge Inc., PatientPop Inc., Phynd Technologies Inc., Qventus Inc., Radix Health Inc., Relatient Inc., SaaS Healthcare Inc., Salesforce.com Inc., SCI Solutions Inc., SimpleVisit Inc., Solutionreach Inc., Stericycle Inc., Teladoc Health Inc., TigerConnect Inc., Updox LLC, VSee Lab Inc., WellSky Corporation, Zocdoc Inc.

North America was the largest region in the referral management market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the referral management market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the referral management market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the referral management market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The referral management market includes revenues earned by interval referral, split referral, collateral referral, and cross-referral. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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