Highmark and Sword Health expand virtual physical care program to fully-insured markets

PITTSBURGH (January 10, 2024) — Highmark and Sword Health are expanding a successful Virtual Physical Care Program to include members of Highmark’s fully insured markets. With the expansion, a considerable amount of Highmark members who have coverage through their employer and all Highmark Individual ACA members will have access to the program in January of 2024.

Highmark launched its Virtual Physical Care program powered by Sword Health initially for self-funded clients in January of 2022. Since then, the program has seen tremendous growth.

“The growth of Highmark’s Virtual Physical Care program shows the value of advanced virtual solutions for our members who are living with chronic pain,” said Anil Singh, MD, senior vice president and executive medical director, population and curated health, Highmark Health. “It’s a display of our Living Health model in action — creating a simple, personalized, and engaging experience that leads to better health and lower costs.”

Employer growth and the expansion to fully insured combined will give approximately 1.4 million members access to Highmark’s Virtual Physical Care Program powered by Sword Health in 2024.

“We are immensely proud and excited to see the value that we’ve delivered to Highmark and its clients, with the recognition of the expansion into Highmark’s fully insured population — making Sword the first digital musculoskeletal (MSK) company to achieve such an expansion,” said Virgilio Bento, founder & CEO, Sword Health. “This milestone not only highlights our commitment to delighting our clients but also Highmark’s dedication to enhancing the well-being of their members. We eagerly anticipate the human impact this expansion will bring and the new horizons it opens for the future of a more equitable, higher quality, and cost-effective healthcare world.”