Healthcare access improves amid ongoing barriers: Experian Health
TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES — United States healthcare providers are seeing modest gains in patient access, but persistent staffing shortages and rising financial pressures continue to limit meaningful progress, according to Experian Health’s 2026 State of Patient Access Survey.
Nearly half of providers (46%) report improvements in patient access compared with last year, up from 36% in 2025. However, only 18% of patients say access has improved, underscoring a widening perception gap that health systems and hospitals must address as they balance operational efficiency with patient expectations.
Administrative bottlenecks and staffing gaps strain providers
For healthcare organizations across the U.S., administrative complexity remains a core barrier to delivering timely care. The survey found that 36% of patients encountered difficulties with authorizations, while 28% experienced delays tied to insurance verification issues.
Additionally, 73% of providers said patients sometimes delay or forgo care when cost estimates are unavailable.
These inefficiencies are compounded by workforce constraints. About 64% of providers said staffing shortages are reducing patient access, a notable increase from 57% last year, while 39% pointed to insufficient staff training as another limiting factor. Access to practitioners remains the top patient concern for the fourth consecutive year.
For hospitals and clinics already operating under tight margins, these pressures are pushing leaders to rethink workforce strategies.
Many are turning to automation and, increasingly, outsourcing non-clinical administrative functions—such as eligibility checks and prior authorizations—to alleviate front-office burdens and allow clinical staff to focus on patient care.
“Technology is helping close operational gaps in patient access, but the industry still must address financial and staffing pressures to truly streamline the patient journey,” said Mindy Fortson, Chief Client Officer at Experian Health.
Rising patient costs complicate access and revenue cycles
Financial strain is emerging as a critical challenge for both patients and providers. The survey shows that 32% of patients believe paying for healthcare has worsened over the past year, while 57% of providers say patients occasionally struggle to pay and 36% say they often do.
This trend has direct implications for provider revenue cycles, increasing the risk of delayed payments and uncompensated care.
In response, 63% of patients indicated they would feel more confident if offered tailored payment plans, while transparency around costs continues to play a key role in improving patient trust.
To address these issues, providers are prioritizing faster insurance verification and more accurate cost estimates, with 44% identifying these as urgent initiatives. At the same time, 35% view automation and 28% see artificial intelligence (AI) as essential to sustaining improvements in access and financial performance.
“With growing opportunities for AI to ease front-office workloads and reduce claims denials, there’s reason for optimism about overcoming some of these challenges,” Fortson said.
As healthcare systems navigate these overlapping pressures, the survey highlights a clear path forward: combining digital innovation with strategic workforce solutions to close access gaps while maintaining financial stability.
