Getting ahead of bone and joint pain creates more positive outcomes

Every person deserves support that helps them move and heal

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Person holding their back

All pain deserves attention

An achy back could be more than a recurring annoyance. It may reveal a deeper problem needing to be addressed. When left untreated, bone and joint pain can become chronic, disrupting daily routines, limiting mobility and even contributing to other health conditions. The effects impact an individual’s ability to feel their best at home, at work and beyond.

The high cost of normalizing pain

One in every two people over the age of 18 has a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition.1 Yet pain in the spine, shoulder, hip or knee often starts as mild and is therefore usually overlooked. Oftentimes, people wait until pain becomes unbearable before they seek medical attention.  Delays contribute to the annual U.S. spend of $505 billion on MSK treatment,2 including avoidable surgeries, poorly timed imaging scans and the overuse of opioids and other controlled substances.

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Woman dancing

Technology enables early patient care

Today’s advanced technology and health data do more than track steps—they help identify bone and joint conditions early. Predictive data can identify individuals at risk for surgery in advance. Early detection permits proactive and preventive measures to halt the progression of conditions and avoid risky or unnecessary surgeries. Leveraging technology can not only reduce medical costs but also significantly improve the quality of life for patients.

Pain is different for each person and care should be too

Managing bone and joint pain isn’t one-size-fits-all. Pain is personal. What may work for some can’t be assumed to work for everyone. Physical pain can also take a toll on mental health, making an already difficult situation more challenging. To ensure the treatment journey is effective, personalized care, guided support and attention to mental health are essential. When care is tailored, the likelihood of success is greater.

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Integrated care drives healthier outcomes

Bone and joint pain affects individuals both physically and mentally, requiring a variety of care and support. Research shows that members with integrated medical, pharmacy and mental health benefits experience:

 

  • 133% lower rate of surgeries in an inpatient setting.3
  • 16% reduction in unnecessary nonsurgical procedures, such as injections and biopsies.3

 

For more information on an integrated personalized approach, check out the video.

More ways to better support you

1.     United States Bone and Joint Initiative. “The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States (BMUS)” (Third Edition, 2014. Rosemont, IL. Available at http://www.boneandjointburden.org. Accessed on 12/09/2024.

2.     Lee Hafner, Employee Benefit News. “36% of MSK surgeries are unnecessary, costing the workforce $90B”, July 2023.

3.     “Value of Integration Study.” Aon's 2022 Value of Integration study is based on a two-year analysis (2020–2021) of medical claims of over two million Cigna Healthcare members who receive coverage through their employers. Aon was independently engaged to design and perform the study. The book-of-business study leveraged Aon’s proprietary Cost Efficiency Measurement, a match case-control methodology, comparing groups of individuals who are alike (age, gender, health status, and benefits) but differ in terms of their coverage of medical, pharmacy, and behavioral benefits. Cigna Healthcare used a match case-control methodology developed at Harvard University to produce supplementary statistics on different subsets of members (those with certain comorbidities, those who engaged in health improvement activities, etc.).

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