Why Medical Case Management is on the Rise

The world of healthcare is changing. There are more older patients, more chronic diseases, and more pressure on already stretched systems. Advancements in medicine have extended lifespans and improved outcomes, but they’ve also led to a rise in chronic conditions, disabilities, and long-term care needs. That’s why the medical case management market is growing.

The global market grew from $5.24 billion in 2024 to $5.56 billion in 2025, growing at a 6.2% compound annual growth rate. By 2029, it could climb to nearly $7 billion. Behind those numbers are powerful demographic and systemic shifts that are increasing demand for care coordination, patient advocacy, and efficient resource management.

The Aging Population

The first and most obvious factor is age. The U.S. population aged 65 and older now tops 61 million, representing nearly 18% of all Americans (U.S. Census Bureau). By 2030, that group will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history.

With age comes complexity. More than 90% of adults 65 and older have at least one chronic condition, and many live with multiple (CDC). Coordinating care for these patients, including managing medications, appointments, specialists, and post-acute transitions, is no simple task.

That’s where case management comes in. Case managers help older adults navigate fragmented systems, reduce duplicative services, and prevent hospital readmissions. As the aging population grows, so does the need for this level of coordinated oversight.

The Rise of Chronic Disease

Roughly 76% of U.S. adults have at least one chronic condition, and over 130 million live with two or more (CDC, 2025). Nearly 90% of U.S. healthcare spending  (about $4.4 trillion) is attributed to chronic and mental-health conditions (CDC).

One major driver behind these numbers is obesity. About 40% of U.S. adults meet the clinical definition of obesity, and nearly 10% qualify as severely obese (CDC, 2023). Obesity increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and several cancers, all conditions that demand ongoing care coordination.

Chronic disease and obesity create lifelong, complex treatment pathways that require someone to manage them. Medical case managers fill that gap, guiding patients through diet, medication adherence, follow-ups, and insurance coverage to keep care continuous and effective.

The Shift Toward Value Based Care and Cost Containment in Medical Case Management

Healthcare systems everywhere are shifting from volume to value, rewarding outcomes instead of service counts. That means hospitals and insurers are under pressure to reduce readmissions, prevent complications, and manage costs more efficiently.

Medical case management directly supports these goals. Studies show coordinated care programs can dramatically reduce unnecessary emergency visits and inpatient stays. According to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), expanding virtual care alone could substitute for up to $250 billion in current U.S. healthcare spending while improving outcomes.

By helping patients follow treatment plans, avoid duplication, and access preventive care, medical case management has become a prominent tool in value-based care.

Telehealth and Remote Monitoring

Telehealth is now a core component of modern case management. In late 2023, more than 12% of Medicare beneficiaries used a telehealth service in a single quarter (American Hospital Association). And among office-based physicians, telemedicine use jumped from under 10% in 2019 to more than half by 2023 (CDC).

For case managers, these technologies are game changers. Remote patient monitoring devices, digital care platforms, and AI-driven dashboards make it possible to track progress, flag risks early, and intervene before a small issue becomes a crisis.

Expanded access, lower costs, and better continuity of care are all key contributors to market growth.

Disability, Injury, and the Expanding Scope of Medical Case Management

The final driver is the widening scope of what medical case management covers. Beyond chronic and elderly care, case managers now play a crucial role in disability management, workplace injuries, and long-term recovery.

According to the CDC, about 1 in 4 U.S. adults (28.7%) live with some type of disability (CDC), while Census data show roughly 44 million people reporting disabilities nationwide (U.S. Census Bureau).

These individuals often require complex, multi-disciplinary care coordination, including physical therapy, social services, insurance claims, and mental-health support. The more complexity, the greater the need for case managers who can connect the dots.

The medical case management market is growing for one simple reason: the modern patient’s journey is more complicated than ever. Aging populations, chronic illness, rising obesity, and the explosion of telehealth and disability services all point to the same conclusion: healthcare needs people who can bridge the gaps.

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