In the US, 50% of adults are actively dealing with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition, making MSK one of the top drivers in healthcare spend for employers. From ankle sprains and chronic back pain to rotator cuff injuries, postpartum conditions and more, MSK conditions can not only cause persistent pain for sufferers, but also limit mobility and dexterity. But there’s more to the story for employers than just high utilization – let's take a deeper dive on MSK complexities and how they can impact American workers.
On a typical claims utilization report, you can find important data points like total cost, site of service, number of claims, diagnosis, etc. What you won’t find is how long someone has been seeking a diagnosis, what diagnostic testing (such as imaging or lab work) was performed to achieve diagnosis, or the time deficit related to costs incurred.
By changing the patient's pathway and positioning physical therapy (PT) as the first line of defense for MSK conditions, many improvements can be seen for both the patient and the health plan. Research shows that when PT is used as first-line treatment for lower back pain, there is a 15% reduction in ER visits, a 28% reduction in advanced imaging, and an 89% reduction in opioids prescribed.
When a patient starts with physical therapy, the savings go beyond out-of-pocket expenses; in fact, Physical Therapists can diagnose and begin treatment all within the first visit, meaning patients can achieve diagnosis and begin a treatment plan – often all within a single visit! This accelerated PT pathway saves patients the time and frustration often associated with navigating the healthcare system, all while yielding plan savings and getting employees (or caregivers) back to work sooner!
Because musculoskeletal conditions can impact family members of all ages and include various conditions requiring physical therapy support, ranging from postpartum care, geriatric care, neurological care, and orthopedic and/or sports-related injuries or chronic conditions, it is important for employers to consider the potential impact of MSK on their employees and dependents and the value that a more formal MSK program may bring to employee and employer bottom line!
Luckily, there have been several advancements made in the overall patient experience for physical therapy sessions. Implementation of some of these solutions is less complex than many organizations may anticipate and doesn’t require plan design changes. When considering musculoskeletal programs in the marketplace today, it is important to identify a program that:
By providing employees with a well-designed physical therapy support program, organizations can support family members of all age ranges dealing with a variety of conditions. If your organization is interested in learning more about mōviHealth, a fully integrated hybrid musculoskeletal platform, or for more unique solutions to support your employees, reach out to your AssuredPartners team.
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