Rural and underserved hospitals nationwide face a growing challenge: widening gaps in specialty care. A Becker’s Healthcare survey of 100 hospital and health system leaders across roughly 30 states suggests the primary issue isn’t technology — it’s a shortage of specialists.
The same scarcity that drives access gaps also keeps virtual care from scaling, creating a loop that leaves hospitals stuck. In this session, leaders from Ballad Health, Cincinnati Children’s and others, alongside National Specialty Care Access Coalition members, share what virtual specialty care beyond basic telehealth requires, where access breaks down most and how a coalition-based approach helps systems move faster together.
What you’ll learn:
- Where specialty access gaps are greatest across care settings
- Why specialist shortages also hinder virtual care expansion
- What virtual specialty care requires beyond telehealth
- How hospitals are navigating CMS’ Rural Health Transformation Program and where they get stuck