Telehealth has seen higher-than-ever patient adoption since 2020, fueled not only by the COVID-19 pandemic and work-from-home options, but the ongoing improvements to the care offered through these platforms.

Patients who need frequent physical therapy, such as those with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, benefit greatly from access to telehealth – and so do their employers and planholders.

Castlight Health’s 2022 Workforce Health Index showed that surgery and treatment for MSK conditions account for as much as 15% of employer medical spending annually – even more than the annual average employer spending on cancer care.

In addition, Hinge Health reported in 2022 that patients in rural areas (compared to suburban or urban patients) were tasked with an additional 10-mile commute (17 minutes on average) to access the MSK therapy they needed. This often includes time away from work or family, travel and parking costs, and a significant burden on the patient multiple times a week.

As of January 2022, virtual physical therapy is now reimbursable, reducing the barrier for patients and providers alike. Remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) is, of note, now reimbursable to providers as well.

Mayo Clinic research published in the Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation found that Limber Health’s digital exercise therapy app not only helped reduce patients’ pain and increased their function, but it did so more effectively than in-person physical therapy.

Telehealth platforms seeking to add virtual MSK therapy to their retinue, as well as MSK platforms looking to become a household name with providers and EHRs, will need a powerful integration partner like NetDirector backing them to bring MSK telehealth to patients across the country.

NetDirector provides a full-service integration option that includes a dedicated Integration Analyst, low-cost implementation that includes round-trip testing, and the industry experience needed to help get your MSK platform connected where it needs to be with as little work on your end as possible, especially when compared to other available “engine-based” integrations.

Learn more by clicking here, or reach out to us to day for a quick integration analysis!