Healthcare industry embraces digitization, AI

Global healthcare solutions provider Omega Healthcare, sees the shaping of the healthcare industry in the country with greater digitization, a more data-driven approach to care, and a continued shift toward value-based care models.

In an email interview, Santosh Kesari, country head of Omega Healthcare Management Services Private Limited, said his firm is also seeing accelerated integration of AI and automation, particularly in revenue cycle management and clinical documentation.

“At the same time, workforce shortages are expected to intensify, highlighting the need for smarter backend operations and strategic outsourcing. Organizations looking to stay ahead can rely on partners like Omega Healthcare, whose AI-enabled solutions and deep domain expertise empower providers to optimize processes, reduce costs, and deliver better patient outcomes without requiring significant internal investments,” he said.

According to Kesari, in the last couple of years, Omega Healthcare has seen patients becoming more like consumers, expecting convenience, transparency, and personalized experiences.

“This year, we anticipate that this will translate to demands for digital-first engagement, faster access to care, and more control over their health data. Providers should invest now in digital tools, predictive analytics, and omnichannel communication to stay ahead of these expectations,” he advised.

Telemedicine’s role in healthcare

Kesari also noted that telemedicine, or remote diagnosis, is evolving from being a reactive solution to a core component of long-term care delivery.

By 2025, he said, it will be a staple in chronic care management, mental health services, and follow-up consultations.

Because of this, Kesari said healthcare systems will need to focus on integrating telehealth with Electronic Health Records (EHR), reimbursement systems, remote patient monitoring tools, and payer systems to maximize its impact.

“Success will hinge on creating a seamless digital care ecosystem that supports clinical decision-making, improves access, and ensures continuity of care. For Omega Healthcare, this opens opportunities for us in supporting providers with scalable solutions in telehealth documentation, revenue cycle optimization, and virtual care coordination,” Kesari said.

In terms of emerging healthcare technologies that will transform the way patient data is managed and protected, he said the future of healthcare data management lies in the intersection of advanced analytics, interoperability, and cybersecurity.

AI-powered analytics enabling real-time insights

Further, AI-powered analytics are enabling real-time insights from large volumes of clinical and operational data, while cloud-based EHR platforms are breaking down silos to improve care coordination.

“Emerging cybersecurity frameworks, like zero-trust architecture, blockchain for audit trails, and biometric authentication, are redefining how we secure sensitive patient information. These technologies are not just enhancing data protection, they’re making healthcare systems more agile, compliant, and patient-centric,” Kesari said.

“Omega Healthcare is uniquely positioned to help providers and payers navigate this transformation by delivering data-driven support services, ensuring regulatory adherence, and safeguarding digital health environments,” he added.

On the question of how healthcare providers can leverage outsourced services to better manage the increasing complexity of patient care and administrative functions in the coming years, he said outsourcing non-core but critical functions, such as medical coding, billing, clinical documentation improvement, and patient engagement, can enable providers to focus more on direct patient care.

“Omega Healthcare, for instance, supports this shift by offering tech-enabled, end-to-end solutions that streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve compliance across the care continuum,” he said.

Because digitization and AI use entail various risks, which the healthcare system is also vulnerable to, Kesari suggested the adoption by providers of a proactive security strategy, including regular risk assessments, endpoint protection, staff training, and secure access controls.