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

Updated on January 22, 2024
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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.”

About Highmark Inc.

One of America’s leading health insurance organizations and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Highmark Inc. (the Health Plan) and its affiliated health plans (collectively, the Health Plans) work passionately to deliver high-quality, accessible, understandable, and affordable experiences, outcomes, and solutions to customers. Highmark Inc. and its Blue-branded affiliates proudly cover the insurance needs of approximately 7 million members in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and West Virginia. Its diversified businesses serve group customer and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance and other related businesses. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

About Sword Health

Sword Health is on a mission to free 2 billion people from pain by pioneering the field of AI Care. Sword has developed the first platform to predict, prevent, and treat pain. Matching Sword’s AI therapists with the expertise of clinical teams, the Sword platform makes high-quality care as accessible as running water. Delivering over 1.5 million AI sessions to members in 2023 and available to over 10,000 employers across three continents, Sword holds the majority of industry patents, a 70% win rate in competitive evaluations, and has raised over $300 million in funding from major venture firms, including Founders Fund, General Catalyst, and Khosla Ventures. Recently ranked as the 26th fastest-growing US company on the Inc. 5000 list, Sword is redefining healthcare by saving clients millions while delivering unparalleled recovery from pain to its members. Visit www.SwordHealth.com for more information.

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