SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WorkWell, in partnership with NextImage Medical, is introducing the innovative solution to prevent and reduce claim costs to Workers’ Compensation. Together, they have created a program that offers a first in industry standards, services and solutions approach for Workers’ Compensation that focuses on outcome and return to work to reduce overall cost and time lost on the job.
Costs to payers have steadily increased, and, until now, the only solution to managing costs has been to pay providers as little possible – a model that sacrifices quality and overlooks outcome.
“We are providing a long-term industry solution that offers a full-suite of resources to all stakeholders at every step, from pre-hire to retire. It’s a comprehensive solution that encompasses prevention, education, treatment and management at all stages of employment to drive savings to our customers,” said Liz Griggs, CEO, NextImage Medical/WorkWell. “In an industry that historically has looked only to reducing overall costs we’re asking, how do we get the best outcome and get workers back on the job? The partnership between NextImage Medical and WorkWell has created innovative solutions for Workers’ Compensation.”
The partnership brings together the expertise and resources of NextImage Medical, which provides the Workers’ Compensation market with cost-effective, outcome-focused treatment imaging solutions, and WorkWell, the recognized leader in musculoskeletal injury prevention and treatment that has been providing physical and occupational therapy services for more than 20 years.
WorkWell’s comprehensive approach is unparalleled in the industry and is the first and only of its kind to “treat” the problem from a foundation that is built on quality to realize savings. The WorkWell difference includes:
- Quality prevention and treatment of injury/illness
- Over 10,000 trained WorkWell certified physical and occupational therapists providing services via a network of more than 1,200 facilities
- Functional Rehab Coordinator™ – unique to WorkWell this professional oversees the timely communication between stakeholders
- WorkFIT™ -- an industry first program that provides return to work screens
- IT System – proprietary system and software that offers ease-of-use for quick referrals, patient scheduling and claim status for payers and providers.
“NextImage Medical provides Workers’ Compensation payers – including insurance carriers, third party administrators, and self-insured employers – with the highest quality, fastest, and most technologically advanced solutions to manage Workers’ Compensation costs,” said Griggs. “To provide a comprehensive, outcome-based solution for our customers, we looked for a partner that was a recognized and respected leader in the physical therapy industry and that had an established nationwide network of facilities and providers. WorkWell’s depth of experience, credentials, innovations, research and data have made them the best possible partner.”
Led by a team of clinical experts, WorkWell has an impeccable reputation for quality. It has pioneered innovations and set standards in the physical therapy industry being one of the earliest developers of the Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE), the ground-breaking tool that evaluates the physical requirements of a job, and developing a certification program for physical and occupational therapists that has become the gold standard in the industry for the treatment and prevention of Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). More than 50% of adults (age 18 and over) report suffering from a musculoskeletal condition lasting three months or longer in the calendar year. MSD is the single largest workplace expense injury category ($70 billion).
“We are excited to bring a nationwide network of WorkWell certified physical therapists (WQP’s) of over 10,000-strong. Our network is unlike any other available today to the Workers’ Compensation marketplace,” said Margot Miller, PT and Chief Clinical Advisor for NextImage Medical/WorkWell. “We have been involved in evidence-based protocols and best practices with all of the services we provide. Our approach to physical therapy treatment is based on the guidelines put forth by ODG, combined with APTA Clinical Practice Guidelines. Our goal is that the worker is getting the right care, at the right time, for the right length of time so he or she can return to work.”
WorkWell has been in the forefront of clinical support of employee health and employers' employee compensation processes. Its proprietary programs and protocols have been developed using both clinical and statistical research resulting in the most scientifically correct and outcome oriented results available.
“Providers have to become more outcome and data driven to provide overall solutions that are focused on return to work. That is where the savings will be realized,” said Griggs. “What worked yesterday is not the future. With WorkWell we have the benefit of data and research that has been gathered since before Workers’ Compensation was managed. They bring experience in the areas that need to be managed and provide a standard of quality that is unmatched.”
According to industry research, currently, up to $80 billion is spent annually on employees’ compensation in loss prevention, direct claims and administration.
“This spending could be greatly reduced,” said Griggs. “Companies that really commit to addressing employees compensation as a quality problem that can be solved, experience savings of 50-90% on direct employees’ compensation costs. We have a new approach that is going to be an industry game-changer.”
About NextImage Medical:
NextImage Medical provides Workers’ Compensation payers – including insurance carriers, third party administrators, and self-insured employers – with the highest quality, fastest, and most technologically advanced solutions to manage Workers’ Compensation costs. NextImage Medical has developed the industry’s leading scheduling platform known as the NextImage Grid™ which has the ability to expertly capture, transport, and store radiology studies and reports. “NextImage Medical and our radiology partners are committed to lowering the cost of radiology services through the entire continuum of care,” said Dr. Mark Cooper, Chief Medical Officer. “We believe that our cooperative model of working with patients, payers and providers is the answer to the healthcare industry’s demand for high-quality, low-cost imaging.” For more information, please visit www.nextimagemedical.com.
About WorkWell:
WorkWell’s extensive network includes more than 1,200 facilities nationwide and a 10,000-strong network of WorkWell certified physical and occupational therapists to provide employers with the best, most cost-effective solutions for systematically managing, measuring and reducing workplace injuries/illnesses.
Musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses decrease workforce health status and account for more healthcare spending than any other single health condition. Musculoskeletal injuries are the largest single category of workplace injury and significantly contribute to the imbalance between hours paid and hours actually worked resulting in a significant decrease in workforce productivity. WorkWell’s suite of services focuses exclusively on musculoskeletal wellness and augments existing wellness programs, safety initiatives, medical services and offers customized off-site and on-site solutions. WorkWell offers an integrated suite of musculoskeletal wellness services that increases workforce availability by reducing musculoskeletal injury and illness frequency and severity.
WorkWell complies with ADA, EEOC, OSHA and other government requirements. As a leader in occupational health research, the company is constantly seeking to improve systems and address all areas of industrial health and safety. For more information, please visit www.workwell.com.
