TDC Group Forecasts Major Shifts in U.S. Healthcare Through 2026

NAPA, Calif. – Healthcare in the United States faces profound transformation over the next year, according to a new report released today by TDC Group, the nation’s leading provider of insurance and risk management solutions for medical professionals.

The comprehensive analysis, “Healthcare on the Horizon: Predictions for U.S. Healthcare Through 2026,” outlines ten critical developments expected to reshape the industry, from artificial intelligence integration to evolving liability concerns.

Artificial intelligence stands at the forefront of healthcare’s transformation, with researchers predicting its eventual presence throughout the healthcare ecosystem. However, experts caution that AI’s actual impact will largely depend on clinicians’ willingness to embrace and trust these new technologies in clinical settings.

Digital transformation represents another significant shift, with TDC Group projecting a massive $1 trillion migration toward digital-first healthcare approaches. While this transition promises substantial advancements in care delivery and patient experience, the report warns it will likely produce costly implementation failures alongside its successes.

The legal landscape surrounding healthcare also faces unprecedented volatility. Social inflation, increasingly large verdicts, and the introduction of AI-generated evidence are expected to create unpredictable liability environments. Legal frameworks will struggle to keep pace with technological innovations, potentially leaving healthcare providers navigating uncertain regulatory terrain.

“This research paper lays out some of the most pressing issues medical professionals must address in the next year,” said Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Doctors Company and TDC Group. “We are committed to helping guide medical leaders through healthcare’s evolution, assisting them in making critical decisions that shape the future of patient care.”

The report highlights growing concerns about healthcare accessibility. Increasing liability costs, persistent workforce shortages, and reimbursement pressures will likely force additional hospital closures nationwide, further widening already significant disparities in care access among different populations and regions.

In response to these challenges, medical liability reform is predicted to become a national priority as courts struggle with evolving theories of liability in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.

Reproductive healthcare continues to face particular uncertainty. The report indicates ongoing disruption to established standards of care will necessitate innovative insurance solutions to manage the unique liability challenges in this specialty.

Care delivery models are also transforming, with more services shifting to patients’ homes. This transition will require healthcare teams to adopt clearly defined roles to maintain high-quality care standards outside traditional clinical settings.

Advanced “agentic” AI systems that can operate with increasing autonomy will fundamentally redefine clinical decision-making processes and raise new questions about accountability in healthcare delivery.

The report additionally addresses the growing complexity of health information. The proliferation of chatbots, social media health influencers, and direct-to-consumer advertising will both complicate and simplify evidence-based practice. Despite these changes, physicians are expected to remain central to maintaining trust and sound medical judgment.

Despite the technological and structural upheaval, the analysis concludes that physicians will continue to be viewed as the most trusted source of medical expertise, even as their practice environment undergoes substantial transformation.

TDC Group, which serves more than 120,000 healthcare professionals and organizations throughout the United States, brings particular authority to these predictions. With annual revenue exceeding $1 billion and $7.8 billion in assets, the physician-owned company has established itself as a leading voice in healthcare risk management and advocacy.

The full report, which provides detailed analysis and context for each prediction, is available on the TDC Group website.