To address back and joint pain for members and loved ones at home, Vori Health, a musculoskeletal care company, has partnered with employee benefits company Star Marketing and Administration, also known as Trustmark Small Business Benefits, to provide physician-directed online chiropractic care.
WHY IT MATTERS
The telehealth company said in an announcement Thursday that by partnering with Trustmark, Vori Health will provide members of small business group plans with physical medicine and rehabilitation services, physical therapy, prescriptions, diagnostic imaging and testing, health counseling, nutrition guidance, community support, and more.
Vori says a team of board-certified specialists, physical therapists, nutritionists and health coaches will accompany patients throughout the MSK care journey – from medical diagnosis and clinical care to healthy lifestyle guidance – to deliver long-term results for chronic MSK conditions.
The company also offers direct chiropractic care.
“This relationship will provide access to online specialty MSK care for thousands of valued members and their families, streamlining non-surgical care that has been a disjointed experience for patients across the United States,” Ryan Schoenecker, chief commercial officer at Vori, said in a statement.
In December, the company partnered with Contigo Health, a health benefits platform, to offer self-funded employers to expand the Charlotte, North Carolina-based payvider Orthopedic Surgery Center of Excellence program to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.
According to Vori Health, millions of employees are struggling with back and joint pain nationwide.
THE BIGGER TREND
While virtual healthcare has declined in some segments, like mental health — evidenced by Teladoc pulling its 2024 forecast due to a $790 million impairment charge related to BetterHelp in the second quarter, Reuters reported last week — pain treatment through digital platforms that offer personalized care plans, exercise regimens and guidance has been growing.
Telemedicine and digital therapeutics can improve orthopedic and physical therapy care, according to Bronwyn Spira, founder and CEO of Force Therapeutics.
She told Healthcare IT News By 2022, low-income and minority populations face multiple barriers to accessing health care and are less likely to pursue orthopedic care, “which can lead to significant functional impairment.”
“At least 60% of adults in the United States are affected by a musculoskeletal disorder, and more than 75% of those 65 years of age and older are living with at least one of these disorders. [MSK] medical conditions, from tendonitis to arthritis, degenerative disc disease and chronic lower back pain,” she said.
“Untreated musculoskeletal conditions can also lead to sedentary behavior, causing or exacerbating comorbidities such as diabetes, obesity, and depression.”
While most small business owners worry about health insurance costs, they offer health insurance to hire and retain the best employees. According to a recent Virtual MSK report from the Peterson Institute for Health Technology, virtual physical therapy can reduce health care costs.
The 2024 report, updated Monday, said app-based exercise therapy and physical therapist-led programs can replace in-person care, while teletherapy monitoring complements in-person chiropractic care by improving adherence to care plans.
The researchers recommend that virtual MSK be integrated into health benefits—not health plans. They also say contracts should be based on value-based payment arrangements and encourage virtual services to work with payers and providers to improve patient triage and build evidence for moderate- and high-complexity MSK care.
ON PROFILE
“Musculoskeletal conditions can have a significant impact on an individual’s health,” Tim Cremin, vice president of Trustmark Small Business Benefits, said in a statement.
“Our partnership is designed to ensure more individuals receive the medical care they need at an affordable cost.”
Andrea Fox is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: [email protected]
Healthcare IT News is a publication of HIMSS Media.
