Vida Health launches MSK Pain Relief Program
MSK issues worsen American health struggles
Low-back pain is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States. In fact, about 80% of Americans will experience low-back pain in their lifetimes.1 That constant pain can cause terrible downstream effects on health, making it harder for people to stay active and sometimes turning to food and harmful medications to cope.2
People can only ignore nagging pain for so long, which makes the accumulated costs associated with low-back pain staggering. Back pain symptoms are listed among the top ten reasons for medical visits.3, 4 And healthcare for musculoskeletal (MSK) complications run over $323 billion in the United States every year.
The good news is that relatively simple interventions can make a big difference in low-back pain. According to the CDC ,“programs designed to modify individual factors, such as employee exercise” can reduce low-back pain.
At Vida Health, we recognize low-back pain is rarely a problem in and of itself. Chronic pain can impact long-term health, both physically and mentally.
That’s why we’ve launched a new MSK Pain Relief Program. Beginning with MSK low-back pain options, this program is an essential part of treating body and mind together. We treat low-back pain symptoms in our comprehensive programming designed for whole health results.
MSK remains a costly condition to treat for Americans, employers, and health plans
Many Americans deal with occasional low-back pain, but over 34% require medical intervention. The average cost to treat a person with an MSK condition is $7,800 annually, making them in the top five costs for HR departments.
Despite mounting costs, results aren’t a guarantee. Unnecessary imaging, surgeries, and prescribing make care more expensive without resolving the problem.
To avoid this fate, health plans and employers have to find a solution that really makes a difference in their members’ lives. Companies can see real results when members are able to easily engage with a simple, accessible platform.
MSK low-back pain and the increased risk for co-occurring conditions
The costs of care for MSK low-back conditions really adds up. With comorbidities taken into account, the accumulated loss to society in cost and wages is estimated to be nearly $980 billion annually.
But it’s more than the money. Comorbid conditions make a significant impact on a person’s health. People experience an increased risk for low-back pain when living with hypertension (34%), obesity (43%) and diabetes (27%).
It’s possible to get care for these conditions through multiple programs, but it’s not ideal. When members treat comorbidities through different solutions, it increases costs while lowering the providers’ ability to make comprehensive decisions regarding a person’s whole health.
Some professions put workers at greater risk
When some employees show up to work every day, their daily responsibilities increase their risk for low-back pain. Meaningful healthcare options can make a significant difference in their health and happiness.
Manufacturing and retail jobs can require heavy lifting, regular bending, and many hours standing. Those in professional service industries—like finance, law, consulting, and technology—are more likely to spend many hours sitting, sedentary, and stressed. Poor posture and lumbar support can negatively impact the lower back, growing the number of office workers who experience back pain.
Individuals, organizations, and health plans all feel the effects of unhappy and unhealthy employees. No matter what industry, leaders can identify a program that offers easy-to-access care to counter these outcomes.
Success of chronic condition pairing
According to studies, people with back pain are twice as likely to struggle with their mental health.5 Low-back pain has always been a prevalent issue, but now conditions have worsened as the COVID-19 pandemic limited access and disrupted lifestyles.
Closed gyms and a remote workforce increased MSK complications. It became harder for people to meet with a physical therapist — who were already in short supply pre-pandemic — as the world adjusted virtual care.
Now, there is a notable long-term impact on the mental and physical health of the population. Individual access to integrated mental and physical healthcare is more important than ever.
Integrated care team and Vida’s game-changing body + mind solution
Vida is the virtual care solution built for treating body and mind together. Members can access the care they need with coordination between their providers, all in one app. Vida offers synchronous video calls, on-demand exercise modules, and educational content that work together with care teams to maximize results.
By treating body and mind together, Vida improves outcomes for those living with diabetes, hypertension, excess weight, depression, anxiety, and many comorbidities.
Overcoming care dilemmas for health plans and employers
Why is it important for companies to offer care solutions that are easy to implement, enroll, and engage members?
Care platforms that offer partial or limited options can make it hard for members to receive comprehensive care. Overwhelmed by a complicated care experience, member healthcare results also diminish.
Additionally, an all-in-one solution reduces costs. Our care team is able to adapt and update plans as members’ needs change. This means there’s no overcharging, prescribing, or mis-assigning care resources.
Plus, high turnover within a health plan can increase the overall cost of care and reduce results in the short term. By focusing on keeping members engaged, Vida improves retention and increases returns for our partners.
Vida introduces MSK Pain Relief Program to virtual care solution
Employees dealing with back pain face declining satisfaction, productivity, and quality of life. But with proper guidance, 60% of those affected by low-back pain can recover in 6 weeks, and 90% can recover in 12 weeks.6
People want to feel cared for and valued by their employers. And when MSK back pain goes unchecked, employers may see an increase in medical absenteeism. As low-back pain affects so many Americans, offering treatment options can make a difference in attracting and retaining employees.
Treating MSK complications can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach, either. Members need to be cared for as an individual by their providers. That’s why Vida’s care team considers social determinants of health, cultural background, and family structure when building a care plan.
What to expect from MSK Pain Relief Program integration
Vida’s MSK Pain Relief Program is a human-led approach to the growing problem of low-back pain. Led by credentialed professionals, our team works to effectively target the root cause of people’s pain.
Long-term health conditions yield more complications. By treating body and mind together, Vida’s methodology breaks the cycle of pain. We focus on preventing damage and having to escalate care, creating healthier populations while reducing overall expenses.
What’s more, our members are supported by a robust care team; they have the option to choose and change care providers to find the right fit.
Our MSK Pain Relief Program enlists:
- Certified health coaches to lead members in weekly sessions to review progress and address barriers
- Doctors of physical therapy for assessment and a consultation if needed
- Care navigators who will guide members to further care if needed and coordinate with primary care providers
Improve your member care by eliminating complicated and convoluted options. Add an all-in-one MSK and mental health program to better employee health, reduce costs, and boost your ROI.
