How Millennials Are Impacting Healthcare IT

September 6, 2022

Millennials are reshaping healthcare IT by driving demand for telehealth, mobile health (mHealth), price transparency, online reviews, and even influencing employment trends in healthcare organizations.

How are millennials changing healthcare IT?

Millennials, aged 18–34, are redefining consumer expectations in healthcare. They prioritize convenience, digital access, and cost transparency, pushing providers to adopt telehealth, mobile apps, and cloud-based solutions for better patient engagement.

Why are millennials more likely to use telehealth?

According to a Harris Poll survey, 74% of millennials are interested in telehealth compared to 41% of seniors. Another survey by Salesforce and Harris Poll found 61% of millennials support telehealth to reduce in-person visits, highlighting their preference for virtual care.

How do millennials approach healthcare costs?

Millennials actively price-check medical and dental care, request discounts, and seek affordable treatment options (FAIR Health Survey). However, they are also more likely to skip care due to high costs compared to baby boomers.

Why do millennials prefer mobile health (mHealth)?

The State of the Connected Patient report shows 71% of millennials want to schedule appointments, share health data, and manage preventive care via mobile devices. Yet, 40% of patients report they do not currently receive preventive care from providers.

Do millennials rely on online reviews for healthcare decisions?

Yes. 50% of millennials and Gen Xers use online reviews to choose providers, compared to 28% of seniors. They also compare insurance options online, with half of millennials doing so versus only 25% of seniors.

Which healthcare companies do millennials want to work for?

According to the National Society of High School Scholars (NHSS), eight health-related organizations rank among the top 25 companies millennials aspire to join:

  • Jude Children’s Research Hospital (#3)
  • Local hospitals (#6)
  • Health Care Service Corporation (#9)
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (#10)
  • Mayo Clinic (#14)
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield (#22)
  • UnitedHealth Group (#23)
  • Atlantic Health Service (#25)

What does this mean for healthcare IT?

Healthcare organizations must adapt to millennial-driven trends by embracing telehealth, mobile platforms, transparent pricing, and digital engagement strategies to remain competitive and improve patient satisfaction.