Patient Access in 2024: Are We Finally Turning a Corner?

In a rare moment of alignment, patients and providers are cautiously optimistic about the state of patient access in the United States. According to the 2024 State of Patient Access report by Experian Health, a growing number of healthcare consumers feel that things are getting better—with 28% of patients and a whopping 55% of providers reporting improvements compared to pre-pandemic experiences (Experian Health, 2024).

At Medrics, we believe this shift signals a transformative opportunity. Let’s unpack what’s driving this momentum and how our solutions accelerate it further.

Patients Want Clarity, Speed, and Control

96% of patients say it’s vital to know what their insurance covers before treatment. 89% value the ability to schedule appointments online, and 81% say an accurate cost estimate helps them prepare financially. The writing is on the wall: patients demand transparency, convenience, and automation.

Yet, 43% say they'd likely delay or cancel care if they don’t receive a clear estimate. That's a call to action.

Medrics’ Role: Our platform automates real-time insurance lookups and can generate precise cost estimates using integrated EMR and insurance plan. Paired with self-scheduling, digital registration, and a mobile-first interface, we empower patients to take control of their care journey with confidence.

Speed Still Defines Satisfaction

While tech adoption is rising, the #1 complaint remains unchanged: not being able to see a doctor quickly. Among patients who felt access improved, 72% cited faster appointments. Conversely, 79% of those who said access worsened blamed delays.

Medrics’ Role: Our smart scheduling and dynamic queue management tools optimize appointment flow, reduce waiting times, and surface last-minute availabilities. This helps providers see more patients, faster and patients feel heard.

Estimates Are Better But Still Elusive

Only 31% of patients received a cost estimate before care—but 74% of those who did said it was accurate. While this is progress, it’s not enough. And it’s not just patients who care—88% of providers say upfront estimates improve collections.

Medrics’ Role: Medrics’ powerful integration capability allows seamless connection between in-house systems and third-party resources. This enables the delivery of streamlined, real-time information for patients, where hospital workflows and payer data can be synchronized. By integrating with EMRs, billing systems, and insurance platforms, we can ensure that patients receive accurate, transparent cost estimates, enhancing trust and reducing billing surprises while aligning with compliance standards.

Self-Scheduling: From Trend to Must-Have

63% of providers now offer self-scheduling or plan to within six months, up from 42% in 2022. And it’s not just about convenience; it’s critical to operational efficiency.

Medrics’ Role: Our self-scheduling tools integrate deeply with clinical workflows, provider calendars, and EMR systems. Patients get access to book, reschedule, or cancel without phone calls. And providers get fewer no-shows, better calendar optimization, and happier patients.

The Digital Experience Is the Patient Experience

From automated check-ins and wayfinding to multilingual interfaces and personalized follow-ups, patients expect more from digital. And when done right, they notice. The report shows 61% of patients saw an improvement in check-in and registration. Small wins with big impacts.

Medrics’ Role: We build healthcare’s Digital Front Door. Seamlessly connecting every stage of the outpatient journey. From the first search to post-visit care, our PWA and mobile apps ensure smooth, engaging, and frictionless experiences.

It's Time to Go All In on Digital Patient Access

The Experian report makes it clear: patient access is improving, but expectations are rising even faster. Healthcare systems need agile, integrated, and patient-first solutions to meet the moment.

That’s where we comes in.

Ready to future-proof your hospital’s access strategy?

👉 Let’s build your digital front door together.