Healthcare outsourcing firm Carenet Health has expanded its global delivery network with the addition of South Africa-based Response BPO, highlighting intensifying competition among offshore hubs serving the U.S. healthcare sector.
The move adds a delivery centre in Durban and strengthens Carenet’s presence across multiple regions, including existing operations in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Philippines, as providers build multi-country platforms to manage rising demand for cost-efficient healthcare support services.
Carenet said the expansion enhances its ability to serve payer and provider clients facing mounting cost pressures, labour shortages and growing consumer expectations.
South Africa has emerged as an attractive outsourcing destination, offering access to English-speaking talent and lower operating costs, with companies citing savings of up to 70% compared with onshore delivery.
The addition of Response BPO, which specialises in healthcare engagement and telehealth services, also reflects a broader shift toward geographically diversified delivery models, allowing outsourcing firms to balance cost, capacity and service quality across multiple markets.
The global healthcare outsourcing market has been expanding steadily as hospitals, insurers and health technology firms increasingly turn to third-party providers to manage administrative processes, patient engagement and revenue cycle operations.
The trend has accelerated in recent years amid rising healthcare costs and workforce shortages in developed markets, particularly in the United States.
The Philippines remains one of the largest beneficiaries of this shift, with its established BPO industry supporting a wide range of healthcare services, including medical billing, coding, telehealth support and customer care.
The country’s strong English proficiency and cultural alignment with Western markets have made it a preferred destination for voice-based and patient-facing roles.
The deal underscores how healthcare outsourcing providers are increasingly assembling global delivery networks that extend beyond traditional hubs such as the Philippines and India.
While the Philippines remains a key player in healthcare support services, the rise of alternative locations like South Africa signals growing competition for talent and contracts, particularly as providers seek to diversify risk and tap new labour pools.
Outsourcing News Philippines