Q&A: Strengthen your benefits with virtual MSK care

Open enrollment may be the Game of Thrones of the healthcare industry, sprinkled with historical battles, head to head challenges (maybe some dragons) and someone always coming out on top. This season signifies the kickstart of a new health-focused year for employers and employees. Now, more than ever, it is the responsibility of an employer to provide tools that encourage their workforce to lead a well-balanced and healthy life.

Last week, Physera hosted a webinar about the pandemic influenced open enrollment season and how organizations can strengthen their 2021 benefits with virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) care. Ellen Morello, PT, DPT, Senior Clinical Program Manager; Erica Murdock, Director of Client Success; and Jocelyn Nowak, VP of Mid-Market Sales, took attendees through an informative presentation and answered the most prevalent questions which are included below.

How is COVID-19 is impacting open enrollment season?

COVID-19 is the challenge healthcare did not anticipate. Healthcare professionals, hospitals and patients were forced to pivot how they provide and access care. As a ripple effect, there’s a heightened need and deepening gap in care and benefit leaders are scrambling to build a 2021 program that can endure the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

When looking at care options, many have their sight set on virtual solutions because interest and appeal in traditional care has ceased as people remain cautious and socially distant. This applies for both benefit professionals and patients.

How has virtual MSK care transformed from convenient to necessary to preferred?

Virtual MSK care may have been seen as a convenient way to access physical therapy without having to travel to a clinic. However, since the beginning of the pandemic and shelter-in-place orders, there has been an increase in MSK conditions and patients seeking treatment. Virtual physical therapy picked up the slack when clinics closed and kept patients out of high-risk areas where they would usually receive treatment. Patients quickly recognized the combined convenience and effectiveness of virtual MSK care, opting to only access care digitally.

Victor, a Physera user, shared his experience and new found preference.

“A dislocated elbow is no joke and a colleague recommended Physera to me because in-person clinics were shut down due to coronavirus. Physera made it easy for me. I honestly can’t see myself doing it any other way.”

Why is remote physical therapy essential to your 2021 benefits?

Even before the pandemic, MSK has been the second largest healthcare cost driver and has one of the highest year-over-year cost growth. While the CDC recommends physical therapy as the first line of treatment to pain, it’s often at the end of the care pathway and is difficult to utilize.

Pain treatment and prevention should be a top priority as more employees are working from home with ineffective ergonomic work spaces. Remote work, mandated for many by shelter-in-place guidelines, are sparking the increase of MSK issues such as neck and lower back pain, and foot related conditions. It doesn’t seem like some workers will be returning to the office anytime soon, therefore these issues could persist.

What are some of Physera’s differentiators?

Physera got virtual MSK care right from the start with its evidence-based care and team of licensed physical therapists (PT) who create personalized patient experiences and can treat the whole body. Acute, sub-acute and chronic pain can all be treated.

Physera’s PTs go through a rigorous screening process and only 1 in 25 are hired and trained to ensure best-in-class digital health protocols and evidence-based care. Those hired are eight times more likely to have specialty than a standard physical therapy background.

Patients are able to secure same or next day appointments, accessing their care immediately and their designated physical therapist for daily support, anytime, anywhere, using only a smartphone or tablet.

What can organizations expect with Physera?

Organizations continue to be impressed with Physera from launch to results. Building on the previously mentioned differentiators, businesses can expect end-to-end care for all MSK injuries and concerns. Leading up to patient care, Physera can launch in under a week, and fit into any health plan.

Individualized care is a strong pillar of Physera’s structure. We recognize that a one-size-fits-all program has giant pitfalls and generic programs don’t address the unique circumstances of an individual and can result in much longer recovery times.

Physera conducted a cohort study with Activision Blizzard, an employer who implemented the Physera program to its working population. Here are some data results of what this Fortune 500 company saw:

• 27% overall reduction in medical spend for patients who used Physera
• 44% of patients saw their PT within 24 hours of signing up
• 100% had available time slots with 48 hours
• 98% had improvement in area of concern
• 83% of patients saw total function improvement
• 99% were highly satisfied with quality of care

You can access the full Activision Blizzard cohort study for additional data.

Can you tell us more about the prevention program?

The prevention program is a free personalized program based on more than just job type and takes into consideration fitness, day to day physical activity and personal goals. The program allows users to self progress through the plan.

Tailored for those at risk of an MSK injury and developed by licensed physical therapists, the prevention program by Physera is the icing on the cake of a truly end-to-end MSK solution. If you want more information about the program, you can request it here.

Don’t let your benefits be your organization’s weakest link. Strengthen them with virtual MSK care. Secure a demo.