We all know that when someone gets injured at work, it’s not just a setback for the employee; it impacts the entire company. And when the injury recovery process feels drawn out and complicated, it can lead to frustration and even higher costs. That’s why we developed Recovery+, a program designed to make the journey back to work smoother and more efficient.
The Problem:
We’ve learned that a major factor in the cost of work injuries is how complicated the recovery process can feel for the injured worker. Their perception of the situation, fear-avoidance of movement, lack of social interaction, and the stress & anxiety that come with a workplace injury can overwhelm them and have a true impact on physical recovery. When there is an impact on their emotional and physical wellbeing, it takes longer to heal and decreases the potential for good clinical outcomes and return to work – lengthening the duration and increasing the cost of the claim.
The Solution: Recovery+
Recovery+ utilizes non-invasive technology like text messaging to stay connected with injured workers throughout their recovery journey. We use these messages to:
- Check-in on their symptoms and well-being: The purpose is to understand how they’re feeling both physically and emotionally.
- Address any concerns they may have: The purpose is to serve as a resource, answering questions and providing support every step of the way.
- Identify any potential roadblocks: The purpose is to quickly identify any issues that might slow down their recovery – including non-physical/biopsychosocial issues.
The Results:
A study of injured workers’ cases at a large home improvement chain showed how our Recovery+ program helps people return to work faster and saves companies money. We looked at cases from the year before Recovery+ was introduced and compared them to similar cases after the program launched in the second quarter of 2024. We also considered whether a case manager was involved, as case managers help coordinate care and navigate the workers’ compensation system. Here’s what we found:
- Surgical Cases with Case Managers: Recovery+ didn’t significantly change the number of therapy visits, but it did shorten the average case duration by 5 days (88.5 days vs. 83.5 days). This means employees got back to work sooner.
- Surgical Cases without Case Managers: Recovery+ significantly reduced both the number of therapy visits (18.1 vs. 15.3) and the case duration by 18 days, resulting in an estimated savings of $450 per case in therapy costs.
- Non-Surgical Cases with Case Managers: Similar to surgical cases with case managers, Recovery+ showed a small reduction in case duration, but no significant difference in the number of visits.
- Non-Surgical Cases without Case Managers: Recovery+ reduced the number of therapy visits (9.75 vs. 8.3) and the case duration by 8 days, resulting in an estimated savings of $250 per case in therapy costs.
The Bottom Line:
By staying connected with injured workers and proactively addressing their needs, we can:
- Minimize delays: We can quickly identify and resolve any issues that might slow their recovery.
- Improve communication: We facilitate better communication between the injured worker, the therapist, and other stakeholders.
- Increase engagement: Keeping workers involved in their recovery helps them feel more empowered and motivated.
Recovery+ is not just about technology; it is about putting people first. By focusing on the experience of the injured worker and providing the support they need, we can help them recover faster, reduce costs, and get back to doing what they love – working!