Three Strategies for Healthcare Systems to Address Barriers to Care and Reduce Avoidable Spending for Children With Complex Medical Conditions

Children with complex medical conditions (CCMC) face substantial health challenges, high health care utilization and costs, and an elevated risk of adverse events. CCMC families experience barriers to optimal care, including financial difficulties, unmet medical needs, a lack of care coordination, and limited access to mental health services. This paper explores key systemic challenges in delivering high-quality, cost-effective care to CCMC and proposes 3 targeted strategies to improve care delivery and reduce avoidable spending: (1) bridging clinical care by ensuring 24/7 access to clinicians familiar with the child’s needs, (2) using technology such as telehealth, mobile apps, and referral platforms to improve care coordination and access, and (3) prioritizing mental health through partnering with family-centered behavioral health services. While comprehensive policy reforms remain essential, this paper highlights pragmatic solutions that health care systems, government services, and technology companies can implement collaboratively to address the unmet care demands, improve patient outcomes, and enhance cost efficiency.