A conversation with SWORD Health CMO Dr. Vijay Yanamadala
Jun 13, 2022
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Neurosurgeon and CMO of SWORD Health, Dr. Vijay Yanamadala, discusses the benefits of virtual physical therapy, including increased adherence rates and cost savings from reduced surgical interventions. Topics include growth of the virtual musculoskeletal market, diverse healthcare partnerships, and financial arrangements in value-based care.
Approximately 90% of patients referred to physical therapy could benefit from virtual sessions, leading to higher adherence rates and potentially reducing the need for surgery.
Significant interest and investment in the virtual musculoskeletal market are driven by increased spend on musculoskeletal care, expansion of Medicare coverage for remote patient monitoring, and accelerated adoption of virtual care during the pandemic.
Deep dives
Virtual Physical Therapy Benefits
Dr. Vijayana Madala, the Chief Medical Officer of SOAR Health, emphasizes the potential advantages of virtual physical therapy (PT) for patients, suggesting that around 90% of those referred to PT could benefit from virtual sessions. The convenience of virtual PT allows patients to perform exercises anywhere and receive guidance and feedback from therapists asynchronously, leading to higher adherence rates and potentially reducing the need for surgery. This approach is supported by outcomes showing that individuals engaging in virtual PT sessions with SOAR experienced significant improvements in health, with reduced surgical utilization and cost savings for health plans.
Market Growth in Virtual Musculoskeletal Care
The podcast highlights the driving factors behind the substantial interest and investment in the virtual musculoskeletal market, with increasing spend on musculoskeletal care in the US creating a demand for cost-saving solutions. The expansion of Medicare coverage for remote patient monitoring, coupled with the accelerated adoption of virtual care during the pandemic, led to a sixfold growth in funding for virtual musculoskeletal care, attracting significant investments and creating unicorns in the field. Companies like Hinge Health and Sword Health exemplify this trend, providing digital solutions that offer tailored physical therapy regimens and wearable sensors for effective monitoring and treatment.
Provider Partnerships and Future Expansion
The discussion includes insights into SOAR Health's partnerships with various health systems and providers, aiming to integrate virtual PT seamlessly into existing care models. By collaborating with academic orthopedic practices, physical therapy practices, and large health systems, SOAR is expanding its reach and enhancing patient care through programs like SWORD 360 that integrate with electronic medical systems. Additionally, the podcast explores innovative financial models, such as bundling virtual PT within post-surgical care and offering tech-only solutions to health systems, aligning with the evolving reimbursement landscape and the emphasis on value-based care in musculoskeletal conditions.
In this episode, we hear from Vijay Yanamadala, MD, a neurosurgeon at Hartford HealthCare and Chief Medical Officer of virtual physical therapy company SWORD Health who estimates at the majority of patients referred for physical therapy could benefit from receiving support virtually.