Fresh health insights
Healthcare cost trends for 2026
Healthcare costs are rising again, and health insurance providers are feeling the pressure. After a brief slowdown at the start of the year across the macro industry, costs have continued to push higher on the back of inflation, new drug therapies, and pent-up utilization. Most benefits leaders already know the headlines, like trend lines above 7 percent and specialty drug spend surging, but what they need now are answers. Not all of this is beyond your control. Healthcare leaders can consider these broader trends to update their plans. This guide will explain the key trends impacting the industry in more detail, but the foundations of cost-effective plans are increasingly built on prevention, digital access, and value-based partnerships that drive measurable ROI. We've pulled together a high-level overview of the key trends shaping the cost basis of healthcare in 2026 and beyond. Read on to find what you need to know about the reasons for these trends, and the practical steps you can take to stay ahead.
October 10, 2025 • 8 min read
Expanding pelvic health therapy access
When employers and health plans talk about equity, the focus often falls on mental health, primary care, or chronic disease. Yet one of the most common and costly health challenges for women remains overlooked: pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic health conditions affect 1/3 of women in the United States.¹ The prevalence increases with age, reaching nearly half of postmenopausal women.² Symptoms can include urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, prolapse, and bowel dysfunction, issues that disrupt daily life, diminish confidence, and impact workplace productivity. Despite the scale of the problem, access to pelvic health care is strikingly limited. On average, women delay seeking help for 6.5 years.³ During that time, symptoms worsen, costs rise, and quality of life declines. In the workplace, this hidden epidemic shows up in absenteeism, presenteeism, rising claims, and turnover of experienced female leaders.
October 10, 2025 • 8 min read
The rise of virtual pelvic floor therapy
For decades, pelvic floor therapy was one of healthcare’s most underutilized interventions. Millions of women endured conditions like incontinence, prolapse, and chronic pelvic pain without treatment, often because stigma, access barriers, or lack of employer coverage stood in the way. Many were told their symptoms were “normal” after childbirth or aging. Others quietly withdrew from activities at work and home rather than seek help. That era of silence is ending. A powerful convergence of factors including technology innovation, rising demand from employees, and employer cost pressures, is fueling the rapid adoption of virtual pelvic floor therapy. What was once seen as a niche clinical service is now emerging as a cornerstone of leading women’s health care strategies. Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) affect nearly one in three U.S. women during their lifetime,¹ with prevalence climbing to nearly one in two among postmenopausal women.² Symptoms range from urinary leakage and bowel dysfunction to painful intercourse and chronic pelvic pain.
October 10, 2025 • 9 min read
Do you need a referral for physical therapy?
When you are in pain, getting the right help should be simple. Yet for many people, the rules around physical therapy can be confusing. Do you need a doctor’s referral? What if your insurance or state laws say something different? The good news is that in most cases, you can start physical therapy without waiting for a prescription or referral. But there are a few important things to understand first. This article explains how referral requirements work, what affects access to physical therapy, and how to find the fastest and most affordable path to recovery. First, let's clarify the definition of a physical therapy referral and explain if and when you might need one. A referral (sometimes called a “prescription” for physical therapy) is a written order from a doctor that authorizes a patient to receive PT. Historically, referrals were required before seeing a physical therapist, but this has changed significantly.
October 9, 2025 • 6 min read
Do most health insurers include physical therapy coverage?
If you are living with pain, you may already know that physical therapy can make a huge difference. But many people have the same question before starting treatment: does my insurance cover it? Whether you are insured through UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, or Blue Cross Blue Shield, or covered by an employer or union plan, it can be hard to know exactly what is included. Understanding your benefits is the first step to getting the care you need and avoiding unexpected bills. In addition, physical therapy is not just limited to in-person clinic visits anymore. Digital physical therapy options, like Sword Thrive, allows you to work one-on-one with a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy from home, guided by smart technology that helps you recover faster and more comfortably. This guide explains how major insurers handle PT coverage, what to expect if you are considering digital physical therapy, and how to find out if your plan or a family member’s plan already includes coverage.
October 9, 2025 • 6 min read
What is the cost of physical therapy?
If you are living with pain or recovering from an injury, you already know how much it can disrupt daily life. Physical therapy (PT) is one of the most effective ways to get back to normal movement, but for many people, the cost becomes a barrier. Take Jamal, for example. After spraining his ankle, his doctor recommended physical therapy. His insurance covered part of the cost, but each session still required a copay. By the end of treatment, Jamal had spent nearly $1,200 out of pocket. Without insurance, that number would have been much higher. Like Jamal, millions of people wonder: how much does physical therapy really cost, and what are my options if I can’t afford it?
October 9, 2025 • 8 min read
Understanding Medicare and Medicaid physical therapy coverage
Before diving into what Medicare and Medicaid cover for physical therapy (PT), it is important to understand your options. Many people do not realize that they may already have access to physical therapy through their employer, union, or health plan, often at no out-of-pocket cost. Many people who qualify for Medicare or Medicaid may also have other health benefits through an employer, union, retiree plan, or family member’s coverage. These secondary plans can include digital musculoskeletal (MSK) programs like Sword Thrive at little or no cost. Checking all available coverage options, including through a spouse or family member’s plan, ensures you do not miss care that could already be included for you. Whether you rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or another insurer, this guide explains what coverage typically includes and how to make the most of your benefits.
October 9, 2025 • 8 min read
All about workplace health
How Digital Physical Therapy Improves Employee Retention
Did you know that fear of pain can be more disabling than pain itself? Chronic pain and employee turnover prevention are critically linked, but with the right MSK benefits coverage, employers can help their team members recover from pain to increase workplace productivity. Nearly 28% of people in the workplace will take leave for MSK pain over the course of a year. Patients who suffer the two most common conditions of low back and neck pain have an average return to work of 7 days. Overall, MSK conditions are responsible for 44 missed work days each year on average.
September 27, 2022 • 6 min read
How to evaluate and select the best digital MSK vendors
Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are one of the most expensive and under-addressed cost centers facing U.S. healthcare providers. MSK disorders affect 1 in 2 Americans and cost over $190 billion per year, more than heart disease, cancer, or mental health conditions. For employers and health plans, MSK claims are often among the top 3 cost drivers. And for members, chronic pain reduces quality of life, drives absenteeism, and often leads to costly downstream interventions. That’s why digital MSK solutions have surged in popularity. The promise is compelling: better access, which drives stronger engagement, delivers better outcomes, and therefore lowers overall healthcare costs.
August 13, 2020 • 6 min read
Reduce MSK costs with more effective digital MSK care plans
You’ve likely seen numerous digital health solutions that promise to lower medical spend. You’ve probably zeroed in on the top conditions with significant digital solutions in the marketplace: musculoskeletal (MSK), mental health, and diabetes. For most companies, prioritizing MSK care over other digital health solutions will drive the biggest benefits for your employees and your bottom line when it comes to savings. Given the multitude of vendors, platforms, and solutions available, prioritization can be a daunting task. How do you choose from among the thousands of digital health tools? What combination of condition focus and solution selection will drive the best outcomes for your population and the biggest return for your business?
September 19, 2022 • 5 min read
Tackling the #1 driver of employers’ health costs: MSK
The phrase ‘musculoskeletal disorder’ may not ring a bell — but the feeling might. The term refers to any type of pain in the muscles or joints, from chronic pain to injuries to post-surgical pain. Many of us have suffered from a musculoskeletal (MSK) issue at some point in our lives. In fact, one in two Americans is struggling with an MSK condition right now. And it’s causing economic ripples, especially in the workplace.
January 20, 2020 • 6 min read
More from Sword: Ask a physical therapist
Ask a PT: when is the best time to do my exercises?
Before I joined Sword Health, I worked in brick-and-mortar clinics. I never worked weekends, and rarely worked past 6 pm. My schedule was great...for me. But for my patients, it was a real challenge. Attending a physical therapy appointment might require leaving work early or slipping out at lunch. Even patients with more flexible schedules would sometimes lament about finding childcare or arranging transportation. A thirty-minute appointment could easily take an hour or even 90 minutes once travel was taken into account. When I was in a clinic, the “best” time for a patient to do their exercises was the time that worked for me, not for them. Sword's virtual model gives our members the power to do their exercises when AND where it's most convenient for them. Now that I work remotely for Sword, I’m able to help our members figure out the best time to do their exercises at home. Now, when my members ask me when they should do their exercises, I tell them - the best time is when you’ll actually do them!
February 11, 2021 • 6 min read
Ask a PT: Does walking really help with pain?
If you’ve ever stood on the sidelines of a sporting event, you’ve likely witnessed many falls, trips and tackles. Whether the players are small children or professional athletes, the advice from the coach may have simply been to “walk it off.” While that is not always the best solution after an acute injury, walking can be a really effective way to manage chronic pain. Motion is lotion. Movement increases blood flow, which brings nutrients to our tissues. It also helps those that don’t have blood flow, like cartilage. Cartilage lines our joints, absorbing impact. It’s surrounded by a liquid which provides it with nutrients, flowing in and out of it like a sponge. Exercise, like walking, causes loading that fills and squeezes that sponge, particularly in the joints of our legs and spine.
August 13, 2020 • 4 min read
Ask a PT: What Is Causing My Shoulder Pain?
When your shoulder hurts, it can be difficult to tell exactly what’s gone wrong. You’ve probably heard of pinched nerves and rotator cuff tears. Perhaps you’ve also heard about shoulders being ‘impinged’ or ‘frozen.’ It’s not easy to keep these various shoulder conditions straight, especially when they all cause similar pain symptoms. The first step towards fixing a problem is identifying it. This article, written by a team of Doctors of Physical Therapy, is designed to help you figure out what’s causing your shoulder pain — so you can begin the process of healing it. We will dive into the five most common causes of shoulder pain and how to differentiate them. Cervical refers to the neck, and radiculopathy is pain that radiates to another body part. Hence, cervical radiculopathy: a pinched nerve in the neck, which can cause radiating pain affecting the shoulder. It occurs when the cervical spine becomes damaged due to sudden injury or degeneration over time, and squeezes or puts pressure on a nearby nerve.
November 1, 2023 • 6 min read
Meet our editors
Megan Hill, PT, DPT
Director, Clinical Specialists, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Fernando Correia, M.D.
Founding Team & SVP Clinical & Regulatory Affairs
Dr. Vijay Yanamadala, MD, MBA, FAANS
Chief Medical Officer at Sword Health