New THMA/Tegria research reveals workforce shortages, financial constraints, and technology integration challenges are stalling access transformation despite widespread investment
SPOKANE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Access is no longer just about getting an appointment. Health systems are redefining it as a comprehensive enterprise priority spanning the entire patient journey, from digital front doors and self-scheduling to care navigation and seamless transitions across settings. A new report from The Health Management Academy and Tegria reveals that, while 82% of health systems have elevated access to a strategic pillar, significant execution gaps persist.
“This new report shows that health systems are now expanding how they view access and elevating it to be a key part of their overall organizational strategies,” said Wes Adams, senior director at The Health Management Academy. “The research identifies the steps systems are taking to transform access and the operational barriers—workforce shortages, financial constraints, and technology integration challenges—that are stalling progress.”
The Access-Driven Enterprise: How Health Systems Are Defining, Enabling, and Advancing Access Strategy reflects the insights of senior health system executives from leading U.S. health systems varying in size and geography. Their responses to the extensive survey offer a comprehensive view of how large providers are addressing access and lessons that can be applied nationwide.
Key Insights
Health systems have elevated patient access from an operational function to an enterprise strategic priority, with most systems now positioning access alongside growth, quality, and financial performance. Improving patient experience is the primary driver of this shift, while financial sustainability remains a key motivating factor.
This strategic focus is backed by substantial investment. Health systems are expanding virtual care, centralized scheduling, digital navigation tools, and AI-powered patient communications in an effort to modernize access and meet growing demand.
However, the research highlights a persistent gap between strategy and execution. Appointment availability and wait times remain the most significant access challenge, even as organizations invest heavily in new technologies. Workforce shortages continue to be the largest barrier to progress, limiting systems’ ability to translate investment into measurable access improvements.
Financial constraints, technology integration challenges, and fragmented governance further slow transformation. Many systems report ongoing struggles with disconnected platforms, inconsistent patient-facing experiences, and unclear ownership across departments—leaving access initiatives siloed and difficult to scale.
“The good news is that health systems are taking improving access to care seriously,” said Steve Nilson, principal program manager for Access and Experience at Tegria. “There are steps to enhance how they operate, serve patients, and improve the efficiency of their organizations. But systems clearly need help connecting strategy, finance, and digital execution to ensure that their laudable ambitions are executed in a way that meets their access goals.”
Join THMA and Tegria at HIMSS26
Healthcare executives attending HIMSS26 can explore these findings in depth at an exclusive Lunch & Learn session. The presentation will dive deeper into the research data, discuss practical strategies for closing the execution gap, and provide opportunities for peer discussion.
What: How Leading Health Systems Are Closing the Access Execution Gap
When: Tuesday, March 10, 12:30-1:45 p.m. PT
Where: Venetian Expo Center Level 1, Casanova 601
Registration: https://www.tegria.com/event/himss26/
To access the full report and its insights, visit: https://www.tegria.com/resources/thought-leadership/access-is-a-strategic-pillar-is-your-execution-keeping-up/
About Tegria
Tegria is a global healthcare consulting and services company that partners with provider and payer organizations to transform healthcare. Tegria’s global team of more than 1,500 experienced professionals has helped drive meaningful change for more than 650 provider and payer clients across North America and Europe. Follow Tegria on LinkedIn. Learn more at tegria.com.
About The Health Management Academy
Since 1998, THMA has cultivated the premier community of healthcare’s most influential changemakers, empowering more than 2,000 health system senior executives and 200 industry organizations to tackle critical challenges and drive meaningful transformation. Their industry-leading programs and solutions help members build strategic relationships and implement disruptive solutions. Learn more at hmacademy.com.
Contacts
Media Contact
Kristine Fedorenko
[email protected]
