Healthcare experts predict that virtual physical therapy, or Telerehabilitation, of musculoskeletal conditions will become increasingly popular and will likely comprise a significant portion of telehealth services delivered in the future.
How Virtual Physical Therapy Can Help Reduce Costs for Employers
According to the 2022 Castlight Workforce Health Index, treatment and surgeries for musculoskeletal conditions account for over 15% of medical expenses companies cover yearly. However, only 11% of companies offer some form of treatment specifically for musculoskeletal disorders, which often leads to employees putting off seeking care and racking up higher costs down the road when their condition worsens.
While in-person visits should still be an option for employees, virtual physical therapy provides a convenient and cost-effective alternative to help more people get the care they need. Sessions may be available on weekends or after work hours, when most in-person therapy facilities are closed.
What Companies Should Consider
When companies are considering virtual physical therapy, they should consider various factors. For example, is a co-pay necessary, and how much would it be? Insurance companies frequently classify physical therapists as specialists, leading to more expensive visits.
Another key question is how easy is virtual physical therapy to access? Employees may be less likely to use it if it’s not readily available. It’s also important to determine how easily records can be integrated with those from other healthcare providers. Many patients do not attend all of their appointments and many give up after just a few sessions. At-home or virtual care allows for easier rescheduling of missed appointments.
Employers also should consider what devices will be used to deliver the therapy and if any financial incentives will be offered to engage employees.
The trend toward using virtual physical therapy is likely to continue to grow as more companies become aware of how debilitating musculoskeletal conditions can be and the high costs associated with its treatment. While it gets employees the help they need it also can avoid costly surgeries and other medical procedures.
For more Employee Benefits information, contact INSURICA today.
Copyright © 2022 Smarts Publishing This is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice.Â
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
Group Health Premiums on the Rise: What Employers Need to Know
In 2025, rising group health premiums are becoming a central concern for employers. Carriers like UnitedHealth, Anthem, and CVS Health have issued projections showing significant cost increases—driven by escalating claims severity, specialty drug costs, and continued labor shortages across provider networks.
SECURE 2.0 Implementation: A New Era in Retirement Planning
The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in late 2022 and now in active rollout through 2025, is reshaping the landscape of workplace retirement planning. Designed to expand access, modernize plan design, and improve financial preparedness, the law introduces over 90 new provisions—many of which are now surfacing in HR departments across the country.
Visitor Check-In and Access Control Best Practices
Visitor check-in and access control best practices are essential for ensuring campus safety. With increasing security concerns in schools, implementing visitor check-in and access control best practices helps minimize unauthorized access, protect students and staff, and ensure a safe learning environment.