In 2024, the healthcare landscape continued its rapid transformation, driven by shifting patient expectations, regulatory changes, and advancing technologies. At the center of these changes stands, surprisingly, consulting firms - firms like Modality Global Advisors. By blending financial acumen, operational insights, and a deep understanding of clinical workflows, consulting firms, like MGA, are beginning to play a bigger part in healthcare than ever before.
“I founded Modality last year, but I've been doing consulting for a little while,” explains Rick Moreland, CEO of Modality Global Advisors, in a conversation with the The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy. “I've been in healthcare for over 25 years. I actually started my healthcare journey in the operating room and grew from there into other areas—clinical experience, leadership, and finally into consulting full time.” This combination of experience, mixed with the flexibility of consulting in the digital era has allowed consulting firms like MGA to become more integrated and offer services that are precisely fitted to clients.
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all playbook, modern firms like MGA begin with a comprehensive assessment that includes in-depth research, stakeholder interviews, and careful data analytics. Armed with these insights, consultants craft targeted strategies, strategies that streamline workflows, optimize resource allocation, and improve patient access and satisfaction.
Moreland underscores the significance of thoroughly understanding each client’s unique objectives and challenges before offering recommendations. “We engage with key stakeholders to ascertain their primary goals and desired outcomes,” he explains. “Without that insight, conducting a meaningful analysis or proposing evidence-based interventions becomes exceedingly difficult.” This consultative and empathetic methodology ensures that recommended solutions are effectively aligned with the perspectives of frontline staff, physicians, and administrative leadership.
The impact of Modality's healthcare operations consulting methods is evident in the measurable results its clients have achieved this year. One multi-specialty clinic, for instance, saw a 25% increase in productivity within six months of engaging with Modality’s team. Patient wait times dropped by 30%, staff satisfaction climbed, and patient feedback reflected a noticeable improvement in overall experience. By eliminating redundancies and better coordinating resources, the clinic not only improved day-to-day operations but also attracted new patients through positive word-of-mouth.
On the financial side, Modality's healthcare financial consulting and revenue cycle management solutions have led to impressive outcomes. An acute care hospital client experienced a 20% increase in revenue capturewhile reducing claim denials by 15%. This careful financial tuning translated into millions of dollars in annual cost savings, funding investments in advanced technologies and reducing length of stay and readmission rates.
As 2024 ushered in more stringent regulations and a clear industry shift towards value-based healthcare, Modality Global Advisorsdidn’t hesitate to adjust course. Recognizing that value-based models emphasize quality outcomes and cost containment, the firm broadened its healthcare strategy consulting offerings to guide organizations through these transitions. Modality assists clients in implementing value-based care strategies, crafting performance measurement systems, and negotiating contracts that reward quality and efficiency rather than sheer volume.
Moreland stresses that advanced tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics, are part of this future-focused approach. “We've been using AI,” he explains. “We've been using it in several spaces… at the most granular level, we can use AI to personalize treatment plans [and] analyze patient data to generate customized treatment plans that are tailored to the actual patient.” This proactive use of technology enables clients to stay ahead of industry changes, ensuring seamless adaptation even as regulations and standards evolve.
Beyond financial optimization and regulatory readiness, Modality’s leadership has taken a stand for equitable healthcare delivery and a more diverse workforce. In alignment with the company's founding vision, Modality has embarked on initiatives to ensure patients receive quality care regardless of geographic, socioeconomic, or cultural barriers.
According to Moreland, technology also plays a role in leveling disparities. “We really try and keep AI that is working for the organization to help…prevent anything related to HIPAA breaches,” he notes, underscoring that robust data practices support secure, equitable access to care. This focus extends to communities that face transportation issues or limited specialist availability, areas where telehealth and AI-driven analytics can help close the gap. “AI is not going anywhere… it's only going to grow. And in more and more areas in the spaces of healthcare,” Moreland predicts.
In maternal-child health, for example, leaders recognize the importance of culturally sensitive care and robust support systems. Consultant and nursing leader Cassandra Stompolyemphasizes addressing biases and improving postpartum mental health screening. “A lot of hospitals are moving towards annual competencies in these different biases,” she says. “We need to recognize them and educate… to make sure we're taking care of the complete patient—mom, baby, family as well.” By supporting initiatives that identify postpartum depression early, improve communication with patients from various backgrounds, and leverage telehealth solutions, Modality helps clients deliver equitable, compassionate care.
“Telehealth is huge,” Stompoly adds, highlighting that for expectant mothers, virtual visits and remote patient monitoring can mitigate access barriers. “If you've got somebody who is very high risk… how can we bring that patient in contact with [specialists]? That’s where telehealth… allows people to have exponentially different experiences with different providers to make sure they’re getting the best care.”
Looking ahead, Modality Global Advisors is keenly aware of the trends that will shape the various types of healthcare consulting. The integration of digital tools—such as AI-driven analytics, telehealth, and machine learning—will continue to grow, with Modality advising its clients on harnessing these technologies to enhance patient experiences, improve operational efficiency, and reduce costs. Moreland acknowledges that skepticism around AI remains, especially among CFOs. “People are scared it's going to take jobs… there’s not a lot of guardrails,” he says. “But I first want to tell our listeners: we’ve been using AI… as a helper to our analysts… it can help analysts keep up and optimize their work.”
This approach—seeing AI as a tool rather than a threat—positions clients to thrive in a complex future. Modality’s blend of strategic planning, financial management, and process optimization will be even more critical as the industry continues its pivot to value-based models. Simultaneously, the firm’s dedication to equity ensures that these transformations serve the needs of all patients, not just a select few.
As regulatory requirements evolve and data security concerns grow, Modality stands ready to guide clients through compliance challenges, cybersecurity imperatives, and the delicate balance between innovation and patient privacy. With deep experience in clinical, financial, and operational arenas, as well as ongoing dialogue with technology leaders, Modality is poised to anticipate policy shifts, embrace emerging best practices, and help clients seize new opportunities.
In a rapidly shifting healthcare landscape, Modality Global Advisors stands as a beacon of adaptability, innovation, and empathy in the realm of medical consulting. Through personalized strategies, operational refinements, and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, the firm has helped healthcare organizations thrive in 2024’s complex environment.
As Moreland puts it, “It’s just very, very dynamic, and that’s why we employ experts… so we can do that work with them.” By staying ahead of industry trends, addressing root causes of inefficiency, and incorporating cutting-edge technologies like AI and telehealth, Modality ensures that its clients can focus on what matters most: providing exceptional, patient-centered care that improves health outcomes for all.
Their work not only optimizes healthcare operations but also contributes to the broader goal of creating a more effective, equitable, and sustainable healthcare system. With leaders like Moreland at the helm—seasoned, forward-thinking, and committed to collaboration—Modality Global Advisors is shaping the future of patient-centric care, one organization at a time.
