State of rural healthcare 2023 research report

New research sheds light on access to healthcare in rural areas, measures financial health of rural healthcare clinics heading into 2023

Nearly one in five Americans live in rural areas and rely on clinics and critical access hospitals for lifesaving medical services. Despite their importance, rural hospital closures have been on the rise. Access to healthcare in rural areas is increasingly threatened.

Wipfli surveyed more than 100 rural healthcare organizations to learn how they’re coping with economic and regulatory challenges.

We learned that bad news exists — but so does hope and optimism. A majority of rural providers are in good financial health and confident about their futures. Two-thirds of respondents said their financial situation today is the same or better than it was five years ago. Looking ahead, over 75% of rural providers expect their revenue to grow or remain flat over the next three years.

Heading into 2023, rural healthcare organizations are most concerned about talent issues, including the cost of labor and a lack of qualified workers. Getting paid is another top concern. Clinics are working to improve federal reimbursements and renegotiate payer contracts.

Download the full report to learn how rural healthcare organizations are planning to maintain their financial health. Learn how they are addressing:

• Talent management.
• Patient experience.
• Financial performance.
• Digital transformation.