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[MyBHC](https://my.beckershospitalreview.com/) ## 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. ![SEO Image (1)-1](https://go.beckershospitalreview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SEO%20Image%20(1)-1.jpg?width=800&name=SEO%20Image%20(1)-1.jpg "SEO Image (1)-1") This whitepaper is designed for leaders of health plans, payviders, accountable care organizations, and clinically integrated networks. 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