Blog

Outsourcing Virtual Medical Assistants: A Solution to US Healthcare Staffing Shortages

It’s 7:45 AM at a busy outpatient clinic. The phones are already lighting up, a nurse has called out, and the front desk is juggling three tasks at once. Sound familiar?

But here’s what makes the difference:
Instead of falling behind, this clinic stays on track—thanks to a team of Virtual Medical Assistants working quietly (but powerfully) behind the scenes. In a healthcare world facing unprecedented staffing shortages, this isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Key Takeaways

• Staffing shortages in healthcare are a long-term challenge—but outsourcing Virtual Medical Assistants (VMAs) offers a smart, sustainable solution.

• VMAs handle essential admin and coordination tasks like scheduling, intake, insurance checks, and follow-ups—without being onsite.

• Outsourcing reduces overhead costs by up to 60% while improving patient experience and operational efficiency.

• VMAs can be onboarded quickly and scaled up or down based on your clinic’s needs, especially during busy seasons or growth periods.

• Staffingly, Inc. provides HIPAA-compliant, U.S.-trained VMAs matched to your specialty, EHR, and workflow—so you get the support you need, faster.

The Staffing Crisis That Won’t Slow Down

U.S. healthcare is in a bind:

• Over 300,000 healthcare workers left the field during the pandemic.

• By 2030, we’re expected to be short over 100,000 physicians and hundreds of thousands of support staff.

• Burnout, cost pressures, and rising demand are stretching teams thin.

The solution?
Outsourcing Virtual Medical Assistants (VMAs)—remote, trained professionals who handle the admin and coordination work that clogs up your day.

What Is a Virtual Medical Assistant?

A Virtual Medical Assistant (VMA) is a remote team member trained in healthcare operations and patient communication. They work from secure, HIPAA-compliant environments and plug directly into your existing systems—handling everything from front desk duties to clinical follow-up support.

 Why Outsourcing VMAs Is Gaining Momentum

1.  Fill Critical Gaps—Fast

Finding qualified in-house staff can take months. A VMA from Staffingly can be trained and integrated in days, not weeks.

2.  Slash Overhead Costs

No onboarding, no office space, no benefits. Outsourced VMAs cut admin costs by up to 60% while maintaining quality and compliance.

3.  Better Patient Experience

VMAs answer calls, schedule appointments, and follow up promptly—so patients feel cared for, not forgotten.

4.  Scale Up Without the Hassle

Opening a new clinic? Facing flu season? VMAs can be added or reduced based on real-time needs—no hiring freeze required.

5.  Specialized and Trained

Need someone familiar with dermatology, pediatrics, or behavioral health workflows? Staffingly matches you with VMAs trained in your specialty and your preferred EHR.

 Real Results: A Case from the Front Lines

A multisite urgent care network in Ohio struggled with high turnover and patient backlogs. After outsourcing 5 VMAs through Staffingly, they saw:

• 50% faster patient intake

• 40% fewer scheduling errors

• $120K in annual savings on admin staffing

Most importantly?
Their in-house clinical team finally had time to focus on what matters: patient care.

 Why Staffingly, Inc. Is Your Outsourcing Partner

At Staffingly, we go beyond staffing. We partner with you to build a sustainable, remote-ready support team. Our VMAs are:

• HIPAA-compliant and U.S.-trained

• Skilled in appointment scheduling, insurance verification, documentation, and patient outreach

• Flexible to work your hours, your systems, and your way

We’re not filling gaps—we’re building long-term solutions.

What Did We Learn?

Healthcare staffing shortages aren’t just a temporary inconvenience—they’re a structural challenge affecting clinics nationwide. But instead of scrambling to fill every role in-house, practices are getting smarter.

Outsourcing Virtual Medical Assistants gives you a way to fill the gaps without burning out your team or blowing your budget. These remote professionals handle the tasks that slow clinics down—so your staff can focus on what they do best: patient care.

And with Staffingly, Inc., you’re not just getting a VMA—you’re getting a highly trained, HIPAA-compliant extension of your team, ready to plug into your systems and lighten the load.

What people are asking?

Q: What is a Virtual Medical Assistant (VMA)?
A: A VMA is a remote, trained healthcare support professional who handles administrative and clinical coordination tasks—like scheduling, patient intake, insurance verification, and follow-ups—from a secure, HIPAA-compliant environment.

Q: How does outsourcing a VMA work?
A: You partner with a provider like Staffingly, Inc., who recruits, trains, and assigns a VMA to your practice based on your specialty, workflow, and EHR system. They work virtually but function like a true part of your team.

Q: Is a VMA the same as a virtual scribe?
A: Not exactly. A virtual scribe focuses on real-time documentation of patient visits, while a VMA handles broader administrative and patient coordination tasks. Some practices use both for full support.

Q: How long does it take to get started?
A: With Staffingly, many practices can onboard a VMA in 5–7 business days, depending on your needs and setup.

Q: Will a VMA work with our EHR and software systems?
A: Yes. Staffingly VMAs are trained in popular platforms like Athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, Kareo, DrChrono, and more. They’re matched to your existing tech stack.

Q: Are outsourced VMAs HIPAA-compliant?
A: Absolutely. Staffingly ensures that every VMA operates in a secure, fully HIPAA-compliant environment with ongoing training in privacy and data security.

Disclaimer

For informational purposes only; not applicable to specific situations.

For tailored support and professional services,

Please contact Staffingly, Inc. at (800) 489-5877

Email : support@staffingly.com.

About This Blog : This Blog is brought to you by Staffingly, Inc., a trusted name in healthcare outsourcing. The team of skilled healthcare specialists and content creators is dedicated to improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. The team passionate about sharing knowledge through insightful articles, blogs, and other educational resources.