Highmark expands virtual care access with Virtual Pelvic Health powered by Sword Health

Virtual Joint Health, already available to Highmark members and also powered by Sword, has been proven to significantly reduce provider visits, need for surgery, and cost of care

NASHVILLE and PITTSBURGH (February 17, 2025) — Nearly 1 in 3 women experience bladder issues, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic floor disorders or symptoms associated with intimacy well-being, pregnancy, post-partum and menopause. To help those experiencing pelvic health dysfunction, Highmark has added Virtual Pelvic Health powered by Sword Health as a benefit at no additional cost to eligible health plan members.

Eligible members can find Virtual Pelvic Health conveniently located in their My Highmark app or web-based member portal. Once enrolled in the program, participants are paired with a pelvic health specialist and receive an FDA-listed insertable device that tracks and measures the force, endurance and accuracy of pelvic floor muscles. The sensor and the mobile app provide participants with real-time feedback as they are performing the exercises customized to them by their pelvic health specialist. The app also provides access to health progress, results and educational resources that focus on behavior change and habit formation.

“At Highmark Health, our Living Health strategy is about providing a remarkable health experience to our members, and to do that, it’s our responsibility to make it easier for members to find and access the care they need,” said Karen Hanlon, EVP, chief operating officer, Highmark Health. “The stigma surrounding pelvic health conditions can prevent women from reporting concerns to their clinicians. To remove that barrier, our members can now improve their pelvic strength more discreetly, safely and conveniently in the comfort of their own homes.”

Virtual Pelvic Health is an expansion of Highmark’s collaboration with Sword Health. Highmark began offering self-funded members access to Virtual Joint Health powered by Sword Health in 2022 and expanded availability to fully insured members in 2024. More than 36,000 Highmark members have enrolled in the virtual musculoskeletal program, which utilizes a tablet to guide movement and provide support for those looking to alleviate acute or chronic pain, recovering from surgery or hoping to prevent surgery.

“To experience improvement and long-term relief, most musculoskeletal patients need to attend physical care appointments 2 to 3 times a week for at least 6 to 8 weeks,” said Anil Singh, MD, SVP, Population and Curated Health, Highmark Health. “It’s a significant commitment, so Virtual Joint Health allows members to complete their exercises wherever is most convenient for them and eliminates common barriers to compliance. We’re seeing overwhelmingly positive results, and we believe that’s driven by the ease of access.”

In fact, 92 percent of enrolled members are engaged in Virtual Joint Health, and 72 percent of those enrolled have completed the program. Eighty-eight percent of enrollees reported the program was easy to use. Of the participants entering the program with moderate to severe pain, 69 percent self-reported no longer experiencing pain at a moderate to severe level. Members also self-reported reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms via PHQ-9 and GAD-7 assessments.

In addition to high member satisfaction and improved health outcomes, Highmark has analyzed a statistically significant reduction in emergency department visits and hospital admissions, as well as the need for imaging, surgery and joint replacements. Decreased utilization drove cost savings of $112 per member per month over 12 months.

“This is the Quintuple Aim in action,” said Richard Clarke, PhD, SVP, Chief Analytics Officer, Highmark Health. “Improved access and experience are leading to better health outcomes. The savings realized from healthier members are reinvested back into delivering that remarkable health experience, so it’s continuously easier for members to engage in care and manage health proactively.”