How reducing avoidable MSK surgeries impacts Medicare Advantage costs

Musculoskeletal conditions are among the largest cost drivers for Medicare Advantage plans. As populations age, surgical interventions and downstream utilization continue to drive spending — even when conservative care options may be appropriate.

A new analysis of Medicare Advantage members examines what happens when care shifts away from avoidable surgical pathways. Using matched cohorts and a difference-in-differences methodology, the study evaluates how redirecting members toward conservative MSK care affects surgical utilization, healthcare spending and member engagement.

Across the studied population, researchers observed:

4.7x gross return on investment on MSK spend
$3,770 reduction in MSK spending per member per year
132 fewer surgical encounters per 1,000 members
$2,715 in surgery-related savings per member per year

Download the report to review the full methodology and evaluate how similar approaches may influence MSK cost management strategies.

You'll learn:

Why reduced surgical utilization was the primary driver of MSK cost reduction in the analysis
How changes across surgery, rehabilitation, office visits and emergency care contributed to significant annual savings per member
What engagement data from members aged 65 and older reveals about participation, completion and satisfaction
How the study's methodology, including propensity score matching and difference-in-differences analysis, supports credible financial evaluation

Please fill out the form to download the whitepaper.