OVERLAND PARK, Kansas—WellSky, a health and community care technology and services company, released its fourth annual Evolution of Care report. The 2025 report draws on industry trends and data from the WellSky national network of more than 2,500 hospitals, accountable care organizations (ACOs) and physician practices, as well as 130,000 post-acute, home and community care providers. Findings from the report identify critical challenges impacting health care organizations, including rising patient acuity, persistent staffing shortages and accelerating regulatory change, and illustrate how artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics can help providers deliver smarter, more coordinated care.
WellSky analysis found that:
- Referral volume & patient acuity are rising in tandem: Data from WellSky reveals rising patient acuity, with a key measure of comorbidity burden, has risen by 34% since 2019. As patient complexity increases, health care providers often need to send multiple referrals per individual to secure appropriate post-acute care.
- Staffing challenges in post-acute & community care endure: Persistent staffing shortages, high turnover, and escalating burnout are intensifying pressures across the care continuum, prompting demand for technology that drives greater efficiency.
- A strong appetite for technology-driven solutions: The study showed 90% of nurses and healthcare professionals surveyed identified care coordination technology as valuable to the quality and efficiency of their work. Many also pointed to electronic health records and AI as valuable tools, signaling a growing expectation for intelligent systems that streamline workflows and enhance care delivery.
“Health care is at a turning point—one that calls for bold innovation,” said WellSky chairman and CEO Bill Miller. “We’re building solutions where technology feels effortless, data flows intelligently and clinicians can devote their energy to healing rather than paperwork. With AI and predictive analytics at the center, we’re driving a future of care that’s faster, smarter and deeply personalized.”
WellSky said with referral volume and patient acuity rising, staffing pressures intensifying and value-based models taking hold, the need for intelligent, scalable, and forward-looking solutions has never been greater.
“As the WellSky network continues to grow, so does our ability to deliver timely, data-driven insights that help providers lead through an increasingly complex care landscape,” said Miller. “WellSky offers the trusted expertise and technology that organizations need to navigate what’s next.”