Part One: Articulate The Problems

In the study of workplace health, numbers tell a compelling story. Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries create a significant burden on both employees and employers, making the case for Early Intervention (EI) and Prevention as crucial therapeutic services.

It’s in the numbers!!
Employers are your best ‘next customers’. The recipients of your EI and Prevention services will be their employee applicants and current employees. By establishing yourself as a specialist in Early Intervention and Prevention, you position yourself as the go-to resource for re-active care when injuries occur.

Knowing the numbers up front gives you the specifics to track and compare for benchmarking goals and reports. Here’s a snapshot of the impact:

• The direct and indirect costs of a musculoskeletal injury range from $40K to $100K, excluding the sales required to offset lost profit.
• Musculoskeletal conditions affect one in every two adults, costing an estimated $213 billion annually for treatment.
• Musculoskeletal injuries are among the top three spending categories for employers’ group health plans.
• 68% of individuals with musculoskeletal issues report that their job is a contributing factor.
• An aging workforce means MSK issues will persist, making early intervention and prevention even more critical.

What Motivates Employers to Utilize Programs Offered by PTs, ATs, and OTs?
Two primary categories influence employers to adopt these programs: Health Insurance Costs and Workers’ Compensation Influencers.

Health Insurance Cost Influencers

• High Premium Costs: Rising health insurance premiums are a major concern for employers.
• Offer Self-Insured vs Community-Rated: Employers weigh the benefits of self-insurance versus community-rated plans.
• High Co-Pays and Deductibles for Employees: These costs impact employee satisfaction and utilization of health services.
• Network Choices: In-network versus out-of-network costs can significantly affect overall expenses.
• Increasing Age of Workers with Co-Morbidities: Older workers with additional health issues drive up costs.
• Cost of Illness-Related Treatments: As treatment costs rise, so do the financial burdens on employers.
• Absenteeism, Presenteeism, and Errors: Health issues lead to increased absenteeism and presenteeism, impacting productivity and safety.
• Lack of Affordable and Accessible Healthcare: Limited access to affordable healthcare exacerbates these problems.

Workers’ Compensation Influencers

• Early Symptom Management vs. 10-Day Occupational Medicine: Prompt intervention can reduce the need for extended occupational medicine.
• Current MOD Rates and Workers’ Comp Premiums: High MOD rates result in higher premiums.
• OSHA Recordable Fines: Non-compliance with OSHA standards can lead to costly fines.
• Re-active Care Costs: Increased need for reactive care following work-related illnesses or injuries.
• Employee Absenteeism and Presenteeism: Health issues lead to job vacancies and reduced production.
• Short and Long-Term Disability: The financial impact of disabilities on both the employer and the employee.
• Actuarial Costs: The long-term financial implications of work-related injuries.

Numbers to Collect: Before and After Implementation

To effectively measure the impact of EI and Prevention services, track the following metrics before and after a given period:

• Number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Employees
• Number of Workers’ Compensation (WC) Claims
• Number of Lost Time Claims
• Average Lost Time Claim (LTC) amounts paid
• Average Non-Lost Time Claim (NLTC) amounts paid
• Percentage of New Hire Injuries
• Workers’ Compensation MOD Ratings

Collecting and analyzing these data points will help you demonstrate the tangible benefits of Early Intervention and Prevention services to potential employer partners. This approach not only reduces costs but also promotes a healthier, more productive workforce. And as the professional who produces that healthy, productive workforce, you solidify your position as not only a therapist but a Partner to area industries.