How HR leaders can maximize the ROI of employee health benefits plans

Every benefits leader knows the promise: invest in employee health, and you get healthier people, fewer absences, and lower plan costs. But reality rarely works out that neatly.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, the number one healthcare cost driver in the U.S., quietly drain billions each year in unnecessary spend, lost productivity, and avoidable surgeries.¹ In fact, U.S. employers waste an estimated $10.3 million every hour on low-value MSK care, much of it from surgeries that could be prevented with earlier and better support.²

At the same time, CFOs demand evidence of ROI, and employees expect convenient care that fits their lives. HR teams sit squarely in the middle, under pressure to contain costs, prove value, and keep people satisfied and productive.

This is where proactive, digital-first care changes the equation. By shifting from reactive “treat-it-late” pathways to outcome-based MSK solutions like Sword Health, enterprise employers are making a clear business case: better access, stronger engagement, and measurable ROI that resonates with finance leaders.

What benefits ROI really means for employee healthcare

When most organizations talk about benefits ROI, they focus narrowly on direct claims costs. But the true story goes deeper. The indirect impact of healthcare benefits often outweighs the direct savings, and this is where HR leaders can reframe benefits as value drivers.

Lower absenteeism, fewer disability claims, higher productivity, and stronger retention all stem from well-designed, health-focused benefits programs. For MSK alone, the ripple effect is massive. Chronic pain is one of the top contributors to short-term disability, lost workdays, and even early retirement. Yet research suggests that as much as 80% of this spend could be avoided with early physical therapy and proactive support.²

Forward-looking HR leaders recognize that ROI is not just about reducing costs. It is about investing in programs that change behavior, improve outcomes, and deliver measurable business impact.

Where traditional benefits models fall short

Most enterprise health plans technically include physical therapy, but real-world usage and outcomes often fall short of expectations. Members encounter multiple barriers:

• Fragmented point solutions that do not integrate
• Confusion over what is covered or how to start care
• Long wait times and travel requirements that make it hard to complete treatment

This fragmentation feeds the MSK money pit. Research shows that 36% of MSK surgeries are unnecessary or unsupported by clinical evidence.² Without early intervention and accessible care pathways, costs escalate, outcomes suffer, and HR leaders cannot prove that their programs are delivering value.

The gap between what is promised and what employees experience undermines both employee trust and the ROI story that HR needs to tell.

The biggest ROI hides in prevention and early intervention

MSK is the single largest healthcare cost bucket for employers, larger than diabetes, cancer, or heart disease.¹ Yet, unlike these conditions which benefit from established prevention and management programs, MSK care has historically lagged behind.

Sword Health’s data highlights the opportunity:

• 80% of MSK costs come from low-value care pathways that bypass physical therapy as the first line of treatment²
• Early detection reduces surgeries, imaging, and opioid use, which saves on claims while protecting productivity²
• Sword’s Predict solution identifies at-risk members before conditions escalate, while Thrive delivers virtual-first PT with one-on-one support

The result is an 81% program completion rate, more than double the typical in-person rate.³ This leads to fewer surgeries, lower claims, and healthier employees who can continue contributing at work.

By reframing MSK care as a space where prevention pays, HR leaders can connect clinical outcomes directly to financial performance.

How Sword delivers the industry’s highest validated ROI 

Benefits leaders need numbers that withstand CFO scrutiny. Independent analysis of Sword’s programs provides exactly that:

• $3,177 saved per member annually³
• 4.4x ROI when using Sword Predict to focus on high-risk members³
• 68% productivity increase, equivalent to $2,916 per member annually in recovered productivity³
• 64% drop in depression and 50% drop in anxiety symptoms when MSK pain is resolved³

What sets Sword apart is not just the data, but the accountability. With Outcome Pricing, employers pay only when members achieve measurable improvement. That means no wasted spend on half-finished sessions, generic wellness tools, or unused perks. Instead, finance leaders see a direct connection between spend and outcomes, building confidence in HR’s strategy.

Digital-first care outperforms old models

ROI is not only about cost savings, it is about engagement. If employees do not use the programs you offer, no amount of promises will matter. Sword’s digital-first model addresses the barriers that hold people back.

Average time to start care is just 6.3 days, compared to weeks for in-person appointments.³ Flexibility is built in, with 42% of sessions taking place after work hours and 23% on weekends.³ This means employees can fit care into their real lives, which drives higher engagement.

Equity is another advantage. Virtual-first delivery ensures that rural, remote, and shift workers have equal access to high-quality care, not just urban employees with flexible schedules. The 81% program completion rate³ demonstrates that when care is convenient, people complete it, and employers see results.

Women’s health and prevention: untapped ROI opportunities

MSK is a massive opportunity, but it is not the only one. Women’s health, particularly pelvic health, is another overlooked driver of cost and lost productivity.

One in three women experiences a pelvic health condition such as incontinence or postpartum recovery.⁴ Stigma and limited access keep many from seeking help, which results in absenteeism, reduced productivity, and higher attrition rates.

Sword Bloom offers the first fully digital pelvic health program, supported by licensed PTs and real-time biofeedback. This not only improves health outcomes but also closes a significant equity gap in benefits design. Combined with Sword Move, a proactive solution for building healthy movement habits, employers can prevent issues before they escalate.

Four steps to measurable success

Proving ROI is not a one-time exercise, it is an ongoing process that builds credibility with leadership. HR teams should focus on four key steps:

1. Benchmark performance: track MSK claims, absenteeism, and disability rates against past performance and industry benchmarks
2. Prioritize outcomes: choose vendors that tie payment to verified improvement and report on engagement and adherence
3. Communicate clearly: ensure employees know what is covered, how to access care, and where to find help
4. Measure and share: bring finance leaders clear, defensible data on cost savings, productivity, and member satisfaction

By embedding these practices, HR can move beyond anecdotes and create a benefits culture built on evidence and value.

Take your health plan from cost center to value driver

Employee healthcare and wellness plans should not be seen as a cost to manage. With the right programs and the right measurement, they become a lever for productivity, retention, and long-term financial performance.

Sword Health equips HR leaders with clinical outcomes they can prove, pricing models they can trust, and predictive analytics that direct spend where it matters most.

It is better care, smarter investment, and ROI that leadership teams can believe in.