Baylor University Peer-Reviewed MSK Cost & Utilization Research

645,000 Episodes Later, Researchers Found Stark Differences in MSK Cost and Care Efficiency

Musculoskeletal conditions are one of the fastest-growing cost drivers for self-insured employers and health plans, and most organizations are managing them without the data to know whether their approach is actually working. A new retrospective study from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business set out to change that. Analyzing over 645,000 patient episodes from a major Texas insurer, researchers compared the cost, treatment duration, and downstream utilization of five common MSK provider types for back and neck conditions. 
 
Airrosti consistently outperformed the field: delivering the lowest average episode cost, the fewest visits, and the shortest treatment timelines of any provider studied – all with episodes resolving in roughly one month compared to the two to three months common with other approaches. The study also examined what happens downstream: how often patients end up in imaging, specialist referral chains, or surgical pathways depending on where they sought care first. The differences between provider types were dramatic, and the implications for plan design, network strategy, and total cost of care are significant. 

If your organization is evaluating MSK solutions, this research belongs in the conversation. Enter your email below to access the full Baylor study.

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