#United States #San Diego #Injury Prevention #American Specialty Health #Digital MSK Platform

American Specialty Health Introduces Innovative Injury Prevention Module

American Specialty Health (ASH), recognized as a national leader in HealthTech focused on musculoskeletal (MSK) health care solutions, has announced the expansion of its Digital MSK Platform. This new initiative introduces an injury prevention module aimed at assisting health plans and employer groups in minimizing healthcare costs while improving member support. With rising healthcare expenses, effective prevention strategies are becoming increasingly significant.

About the Injury Prevention Module

The recently launched module is designed to facilitate proactive health management among members. It focuses on diminishing injury risks and maintaining functional mobility through a series of individual movement exercises, strengthening routines, and body awareness techniques. This expansion marks the third self-care module ASH has rolled out, complementing existing resources for acute injury recovery and chronic pain management. Significantly, these services offer savings of approximately 50-70% compared to similar digital MSK programs available in the market.

“Preventing avoidable injuries is critical for managing MSK-related costs while enhancing the overall well-being of members and employees,” stated George DeVries, CEO and president of ASH. “The injury prevention module represents a significant investment in providing evidence-based digital tools that enable health plans and employers to help their members address MSK concerns proactively. This preemptive care can prevent complications that result in more expensive treatments.”

The effectiveness of this module emerges from its design, which goes beyond post-injury recovery, establishing ASH's commitment toward scalable and prevention-focused solutions. Digital prevention tools have a pivotal role in empowering members to engage in safe and confident activities over time. According to Jaynie Bjornaraa, a leading expert in clinical quality evaluation at ASH, this module merges thoughtful, evidence-based strategies for injury prevention with comprehensive population health initiatives and value-driven care strategies.

User Experience and Benefits

Each module within the Digital MSK Platform is tailored to suit various demographics—including working-age adults, sports enthusiasts, seniors, and anyone eager to maintain an active lifestyle. Participants benefit from a personalized digital experience that fosters safe and consistent exercise, alleviating the need for in-person consultations.

The injury prevention module can be utilized independently, with an option to connect with ASH’s national network of virtual physical and occupational therapists for more clinical support when necessary.

“This MSK solution empowers members to easily access clinical-grade digital exercise programs and self-care resources without necessitating provider intervention,” emphasized Nicole Golding, MD, FAAPMR, CHCQM, ASH's Senior Medical Director. “It’s perfect for individuals aiming to remain active, as it provides clear guidelines to enhance movement and strength, thus reducing injury risks associated with their daily routines.”

For healthcare plans and employers, the benefits of this module include:

• - Early engagement and injury prevention to mitigate future MSK-related healthcare utilization
• - Scalable support access that covers a broad spectrum of populations
• - Facilitation for members through intuitive digital tools reinforced by clinical expertise
• - Flexible integration options for both virtual and face-to-face MSK care services

“Health plans and employers are progressively seeking MSK solutions that are proactive, observable, and evidence-based,” noted Bjornaraa. “The injury prevention module fortifies our Digital MSK Platform by filling a critical gap and enabling individuals to maintain their health and stave off injuries, rather than merely focusing on recovery.”

Looking ahead, ASH plans to unveil an additional Digital MSK Platform module later this year that will further enhance member engagement, streamline care navigation, and improve sustainability in MSK benefit strategies.

About American Specialty Health

Since its establishment in 1987, American Specialty Health has emerged as a primary provider of musculoskeletal health care solutions. Through its extensive network comprising 126,000 clinical providers, including physical therapists, chiropractors, and nutritionists, ASH underscores its commitment to making healthcare more affordable and accessible. By leveraging technology and clinical performance systems, ASH not only enhances care delivery but also ensures efficient management of health plan funds. Today, ASH serves over 62 million members across the nation, offering comprehensive self-care recovery tools that meet diverse healthcare needs. For additional information, please visit ASHCompanies.com.