This case study showcases the impressive cost savings, improved outcomes, and enhanced satisfaction achieved through an innovative onsite physical therapy (PT) solution — supported by national evidence showing PT as a first-line intervention reduces downstream care needs.
A global manufacturing and engineering firm with nearly 7,000 employees was facing a common but costly challenge: rising musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions like back, shoulder, and knee pain. These issues were not only driving up health care costs — they were affecting employee productivity, attendance, and well-being. The company’s traditional offsite physical therapy solutions were proving ineffective in curbing these rising costs.
With research showing that up to 70% of MSK concerns can be resolved with physical therapy alone (APTA, 2020), the company saw an opportunity to pivot from reactive, high-cost care to a proactive, streamlined solution: onsite physical therapy.
Patients who see a physical therapist as the first point of care to treat back pain have:
reduced likelihood of receiving an opioid prescription
lower probability of having advanced imaging services
lower probability of an ER visit
(Frogner BK et al., Health Serv Res, 2018)
Transforming care through onsite physical therapy
To reduce costs and improve outcomes, the company launched an onsite physical therapy program as part of its onsite health center. Offering cost-free services to employees, dependents, and spouses, the program made high-quality care accessible, personalized, and convenient.
Employees received care during the workday without needing time off and avoided expensive co-pays. While community PT clinics had 30+ day wait times, the onsite health center offered appointments within a week.
Physical therapists worked closely with site managers to develop safety programs and reduce injuries. PTs also conducted ergonomic assessments and real-time task observations to identify and mitigate injury risks.
Every patient was seen by a licensed physical therapist, ensuring expert evaluation and care from start to finish.
Extended appointment times allowed for personalized assessments, hands-on treatment, and patient education—contributing to faster recovery and better outcomes.
A measurable difference in cost and outcomes
An independent third-party analysis compared the outcomes of employees using onsite PT versus those using community PT for MSK conditions.
Onsite PT: $3,116 per member
Offsite PT: $5,236 per member
Savings: $2,100 per member
Onsite PT: 9.9 visits per member
Offsite PT: 12.5 visits per member
97% rated their care as excellent
99% would recommend the onsite PT program
Onsite PT significantly reduced health care spending—cutting per-member MSK care costs by 41%.
Aligning with national research, early PT access helped reduce opioid use, advanced imaging, and ER visits. This proactive approach improves long-term outcomes and reduces high-cost interventions.
Use of only licensed therapists and longer visit times led to better care delivery, improved recovery times, and high satisfaction scores.
For companies looking to replicate these results, consider these best practices:
Offering onsite services enables early intervention, convenience, and adherence.
Ensure licensed providers deliver longer, customized sessions for maximum impact.
Use claims data and patient feedback to monitor utilization, costs, and clinical outcomes.
This case study illustrates how onsite physical therapy not only improves employee health but also reduces total health care spend. Backed by independent findings and national research, this model is a proven strategy for managing MSK conditions and optimizing workforce productivity.
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