What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Marathon Health and Medbridge have introduced a new virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) care program, integrated into Marathon's advanced primary care and MoveWell™ MSK solutions. This initiative, powered by Medbridge's Pathways platform, aims to improve access to MSK care, enhance patient experiences, and reduce healthcare costs and fragmentation. MSK conditions are a significant concern for employers, with 71% identifying them as a top healthcare cost driver. The collaboration focuses on personalized, whole-person care, offering digital self-guided and hybrid MSK programs that integrate with Marathon's in-person and virtual care services. Key features include direct integration with primary care providers, triage and care planning tools, advanced motion capture technology, and robust reporting capabilities.
Why It's Important?
The launch of this integrated MSK care program is significant as it addresses the challenges of disjointed care and high costs associated with MSK conditions. By integrating the Pathways platform into primary care, Marathon Health aims to reduce episodic care costs by 50% to 63% compared to traditional and digital MSK solutions. This approach ensures consistency of care and supports primary care relationships, which can deliver 90% of necessary care. The program's focus on personalized care and advanced technology is expected to improve patient outcomes and provide transparency for employers, potentially transforming how MSK conditions are managed in the healthcare system.
What's Next?
The partnership between Marathon Health and Medbridge has launched with a limited release across select Marathon Health locations. Based on early outcomes and demand, there are plans to expand access across Marathon's over 630 health centers and 3 million covered members in 2026. This expansion could further enhance the reach and effectiveness of the integrated MSK care program, offering more patients access to comprehensive and cost-effective care solutions.
Beyond the Headlines
The integration of advanced technology, such as motion capture, into MSK care represents a shift towards more precise and data-driven healthcare solutions. This development could lead to broader adoption of similar technologies in other areas of healthcare, promoting a more holistic and efficient approach to patient care. Additionally, the focus on reducing care fragmentation aligns with broader healthcare trends towards value-based care and improved care coordination.
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