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Musculoskeletal care at Kaiser Permanente

A man stretches at his desk

More than 1 in 2 employees suffers from a musculoskeletal condition, causing them to miss an average of 12 workdays a year.1 These conditions account $980 billion in health care costs and lost wages each year.2 So it’s no surprise that 44% of employers rank musculoskeletal issues as the top health condition impacting their costs — while 85% rank it among the top 3.3

Coordinated and connected musculoskeletal care

Most musculoskeletal conditions can be prevented — and treated successfully — with the right care and support. At Kaiser Permanente, your employees’ care plan is available in one connected system that’s designed to make life easier and recovery faster.

Primary care, health plan, in-person and virtual PT, telehealth visits, and specialists in orthopedics, rheumatology, and more are connected.

Coordinated care and coverage makes getting care easy

Kaiser Permanente doctors, facilities, and health plans are part of one connected system. So your employees don’t need to find their own specialists or wonder what’s covered by their health plan.

Multidisciplinary teams work together seamlessly

Our care teams collaborate across locations and specialties to deliver better, more effective care. Treatment can evolve with your employees’ needs, and we coordinate their care journey from start to finish.

Employees’ health records are updated at every care touch point

Your employee’s diagnoses, treatment plans, and progress are all captured in their electronic health record. So their entire Kaiser Permanente care team has more information from the start — which can improve care and outcomes.

Find the right plan for your business
(877) 305-7933

Virtual physical therapy — improving access, adherence, and outcomes

Physical therapy (PT) can significantly reduce chronic pain and prevent costly procedures and surgeries. But only about 10% of employees who would benefit from PT ever get it — and less than 25% of them complete their course of treatment.4 At Kaiser Permanente, physical therapy is prescribed before other, costlier, more invasive interventions are considered.

Cost and inconvenience are the top 2 barriers to adherence.5 Virtual PT is as effective as in-person treatment, while improving convenience, boosting adherence, and minimizing unnecessary visits and procedures — and ultimately reducing health care costs for employers and employees alike.6,7

Virtual PT is proven to improve adherence. Studies show up to 45% higher adherence rates.

The value of virtual PT in our connected system

  • Less invasive — and less costly — than other procedures and surgeries.
  • Personalized PT regimens are based on your employees’ specific diagnoses.
  • Convenient, on-demand access. No need to commute or take time off work.
  • Real-time feedback helps clinicians optimize treatment and improve outcomes.

DID YOU KNOW?

Nearly 40% of employers are considering adding third-party virtual musculoskeletal care benefits in 2022.9

At Kaiser Permanente, virtual PT is built in — at no additional charge.

A better approach to musculoskeletal care

With Kaiser Permanente, your employees get highly effective, easily accessible musculoskeletal care that’s covered by their health plan and coordinated with their overall health care experience. Virtual physical therapy options make it easy for them to manage musculoskeletal health issues before they become serious. And they get coordinated, connected support that helps them recover faster — while minimizing costs and time off work.

Find the right plan for your business
(877) 305-7933

  • “Fast Facts: Musculoskeletal Conditions,” United States Bone and Joint Initiative, 2018.

  • See note 1.

  • “Large Employers Double Down on Efforts to Stem Rising Benefit Costs which are Expected to Top $15000 per Employee in 2020,” National Business Group on Health, August 13, 2019.

  • “Meeting the Needs of the On-Demand Consumer: High-tech through High-Touch,” National Business Group on Health, April 1, 2019.

  • “Addressing Musculoskeletal Conditions and Physical Therapy Needs with Virtual Solutions,” National Business Group on Health, October 16, 2020.

  • Michelle Cottrell, et. al., “Telehealth for Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy,” Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, August 2020.

  • See note 4.

  • Rachel Arndt, “Physical Therapy and Rehab Go Virtual,” Modern Healthcare, June 23, 2018.

  • “Large Employers Accelerating Adoption of Virtual Care, Mental Health Services for 2021, Business Group on Health Survey Finds,” National Business Group on Health, August 18, 2020.