Remote MSK care that will last beyond COVID-19
Since the pandemic, more and more providers are going virtual and there is both an uptick in use, and in the acceptance of remote care solutions. Safe to say healthcare is going digital but the question is — Do we think it’s here to stay?
The short answer is yes. As organizations are operating with remote workforces, it has forced people to rethink how we access care. Unfortunately, it took the novel coronavirus to propel virtual care forward, but people are seeing the benefits of it. Before the pandemic, only 25% had experience using telehealth services. That number skyrocketed as millions were instructed to avoid high-risk areas, such as hospitals and clinics for the last few months. Now, 59% claim they are more open to leverage telehealth services than before.
Not only are people more inclined to use virtual healthcare options, but organizations like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) are paving the way for more accessible and convenient care. A few weeks after COVID-19 became widespread, they changed a rule to expand coverage of telehealth services to support patients during the pandemic. These changes added existing codes related to physical therapy and various other services that can be delivered via telehealth. When combining the new CMS ruling with the increased acceptance of virtual care, it reinforced the need for employers to also do their part.
As a result of COVID-19, patients are social distancing and clinics had to temporarily close and physical therapists (PTs) had to pivot to help their patients. Virtual physical therapy is at the forefront of all solutions, making it possible for therapists to salvage patient care while significantly helping reduce the spread of COVID-19. Though the virtual care experience is a foreign way for most clinicians to practice MSK care, Physera’s Todd Norwood and Ellen Morrello, worked together to educate others on how to implement virtual physical therapy from start to finish. As a result, the number of remote physical therapy providers increased, firmly planting the stake in the healthcare landscape.
Before the pandemic, virtual care solutions, such as Physera, had already made their mark on the healthcare industry by making MSK care more accessible and convenient. Founded as a remote services company, we always believed that the better way to access physical therapy is remote. Patients have a direct route to physical therapy without having to visit a clinic and can access their PT and care plan directly from their smartphone. Physera’s adherence rates exceed 80% due to the convenience and supportive nature of the program and resulting in 98% of patients highly satisfied with the quality of care and 98% saw improvement in their area of concern.
The need for virtual care continues to grow at a rapid pace. Physera understands the need for remote MSK care and provides a benefit that keeps employees safe and healthy.
If you are interested in learning how Physera’s virtual MSK program can help keep your employees pain free and reduce healthcare costs, we invite you to learn more here.
