Conditions causing damage to the musculoskeletal (MSK) system are a source of aches and pains for more than 1 in 2 adults and a top driver of health care usage and costs in the U.S.
This report is for plans seeking to understand and improve care and affordability for those suffering with MSK conditions.
Insights are based primarily on our analyses of de-identified and aggregated administrative medical and pharmacy claims data from 2020 for a commercial population consisting of six million lives age 0 to 64 from employers, labor unions and health plans. Some insights are based on 2017–2019 data from a larger commercial population.
You’ll learn how and why:
- Analyzing drivers of variability in usage, quality and cost yields opportunities for improving care and reducing spend
- Decreasing use of low-value services and sites of service is key to cost savings
- Encouraging use of high-performing providers for necessary services improves outcomes and can help lower costs
- Supporting individuals throughout their health journey is essential, especially those with comorbidities that exacerbate symptoms and increase risk of treatment failures
Published on July 3, 2025
