Henry Ford Health virtual MSK program cuts costs, improves outcomes for Medicare Advantage members

Two new studies of Henry Ford Health’s virtual musculoskeletal care program found strong improvements in pain, function and mental health, along with more than 50% lower spending for Health Alliance Plan Medicare Advantage members. The results suggest coordinated virtual care can help patients with back and joint pain avoid unnecessary procedures while reducing costs.

Why it matters: - The findings point to a cheaper care path for Medicare Advantage members with back, neck, hip, knee and shoulder pain. - The program delivered better outcomes and lower spending at the same time, a combination health plans and providers have been trying to prove at scale. - Health Alliance Plan said savings from the program go back into member benefits and the communities it serves.

What happened: - Henry Ford Health developed a virtual musculoskeletal care program offered through Health Alliance Plan. - The program connects members with a multidisciplinary virtual care team through Protera Health, a physician-led model focused on nonsurgical treatment. - Two studies published in NEJM Catalyst and Frontiers in Digital Health evaluated the program’s results. - Dr. Eric Makhni, chief executive officer of Protera Health and an orthopedic surgeon at Henry Ford Health, co-authored the studies. - Dr. Charles Bloom, chief medical officer for Health Alliance Plan, also co-authored one of the studies. - Dr. Peter Watson, chief clinical success officer for Populance, a Henry Ford Health subsidiary, co-authored both studies.

The details: - Participants received personalized care plans through virtual visits with physicians, physical therapists and health coaches. - The program also included guided exercise therapy, educational content, symptom monitoring, lifestyle support and coordination to in-person services when needed. - Specialist evaluation was available within 24 to 48 hours. - Early assessment helped patients move quickly to either nonsurgical treatment or referral to a surgeon. - The NEJM Catalyst study compared Health Alliance Plan Medicare Advantage members in the program with similar members receiving traditional musculoskeletal care. - Musculoskeletal-related costs fell from $347 to $149 per member per month. - Average annual savings reached $8,652 per member, net of program fees. - Participants reported a 27% reduction in pain. - 85% of participants achieved meaningful improvement in physical function or pain interference. - Member satisfaction averaged 9.2 out of 10. - The Frontiers in Digital Health study examined 308 Medicare Advantage members in a 12-week virtual MSK program. - Participants showed clinically meaningful improvements in physical pain and mental health using validated National Institutes of Health outcome measures. - Depression symptoms fell by 36%. - Anxiety symptoms fell by 25%. - Nearly 94% of participants improved in at least one health outcome.

Between the lines: - The results support a broader shift toward physician-led virtual specialty care for chronic pain and movement disorders. - The studies suggest earlier triage and coordinated therapy can reduce unnecessary procedures and spending. - The model also reflects how integrated health systems can use digital care to manage patients without relying only on surgery or in-person visits.

What's next: - Henry Ford Health and Health Alliance Plan appear positioned to expand or continue using the model if the cost and outcome gains hold. - The studies may also encourage other health plans to test similar virtual MSK programs for Medicare Advantage members. - The authors said the integrated approach has potential to improve outcomes while lowering spending when built into health plan delivery programs.

The bottom line: - For Medicare Advantage members with musculoskeletal pain, Henry Ford Health’s virtual care model delivered better health outcomes and lower costs, offering a strong case for coordinated, nonsurgical care.