As we kick off a new year, it’s time for our annual review of 2024 and industry forecast for musculoskeletal (MSK) care in 2025. From defining the role of GLP-1s and artificial intelligence (AI) in the standard of care to rising stakes for health plans and growing demand for hybrid solutions, 2025 will be a pivotal year for the MSK industry. Vori Health co-founders Ryan Grant, MD, and Mary O’Connor, MD, are sharing how they believe these factors will shape the future of MSK care as key players continue to push for high-value care, with an overarching theme of finding balance.
The path forward for GLP-1 medications is integrated care
In 2024, GLP-1 medications reached record highs for member utilization—an estimated one in eight adults (approximately 12 percent) report taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro (KFF, 2024). We expect to see an even greater surge in member interest in 2025 as new versions of the medication enter the market with even bolder promises for weight loss. “With newer GLP-1 versions claiming up to 24 percent weight loss, utilization will likely further increase and potentially skyrocket if Medicare and Medicaid begin covering the drug,” said Dr. O’Connor (Khemlani, 2024).
Dr. O’Connor points out a critical milestone for GLP-1s in the coming year: Health plans are finalizing their decisions about what is and isn’t covered, and many are taking a step back to see how GLP-1s fit into the bigger picture of care. In many cases, individuals with obesity also suffer from musculoskeletal (MSK) issues, like low back or neck pain—over 90 percent of individuals with a body mass index above 42 also report MSK pain (Rosa, 2021)—and GLP-1s themselves may cause muscle loss, a side effect that can quickly snowball into other significant issues, especially for individuals with underlying MSK conditions or those at risk for falling.
“A critical component to improving the health of the individual on a GLP-1 is to increase their level of physical activity to combat the muscle loss commonly associated with these medications,” shares Dr. O’Connor. “With the very high overlap of joint pain with obesity in individuals, addressing musculoskeletal health is essential in patients on GLP-1s.”
While lowering the number on the scale may be the primary goal for members seeking GLP-1s, health plans and employers are recognizing that the medication alone cannot treat obesity. Integrated solutions will continue to emerge as a necessity for those on GLP-1s, as providing 360º physical, mental, and social support is crucial to helping members maintain their results and achieve a healthier lifestyle.
“A critical component to improving the health of the individual on a GLP-1 is to increase their level of physical activity to combat the muscle loss commonly associated with these medications,” shares Dr. O’Connor.
Striking a balance between AI and the human touch
From streamlining behind-the-scenes administrative tasks to improving the virtual member experience, AI already plays an essential role in providing high-value care and will continue to do so in 2025. In specialty MSK care, AI is undeniably valuable in moving the needle on member engagement, especially when it comes to the self-motivated aspects of MSK care, such as adherence with physical therapy.
“AI applications in musculoskeletal specialty care can enhance the effectiveness of at-home exercise programs,” explains Dr. O’Connor. “With AI, we can provide real-time feedback to patients that encourages proper form and increased engagement.”
However, Dr. O’Connor cautions that AI is not a silver bullet. Members with MSK conditions especially benefit from care that emphasizes the human touch, as achieving whole-body improvements requires far more than software-driven assessments. Members see the best outcomes when they feel supported on every level by a team of clinicians who truly understand their goals, preferences, motivations, and lived experiences—including how factors like race, ethnicity, and cultural background can affect both pain perception and care needs.
“While AI advancements can be quite powerful in improving therapy outcomes, they are no substitute for human connection,” notes Dr. O’Connor. “What our patients truly love is the depth of human engagement they receive—the listening, guidance, and deeply personalized care that only real doctors can deliver.”
“While AI advancements can be quite powerful in improving therapy outcomes, they are no substitute for human connection,” notes Dr. O’Connor.
Mounting pressures on health plans to deliver real value
2025 brings a notable change to health plan performance evaluations. The continued shift to more Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures puts increasing pressure on plans to balance, and potentially replace, more enticing benefits with those that deliver hard outcomes.
“The shift to more HEDIS measures is a clear signal,” shares Dr. Grant. “Health plans must move beyond compliance to prioritize quality, collaboration, and member engagement—ensuring that value starts with the patient and delivers measurable outcomes for all."
“Health plans must move beyond compliance to prioritize quality, collaboration, and member engagement—ensuring that value starts with the patient," says Dr. Grant.
Health plans that strategically target HEDIS measures, primarily by fostering greater collaboration with clinicians and members, can also pave the way for higher Star Ratings—a key priority for Medicare Advantage plans amid increased competition and recent rating declines (CMS, 2024).
For health plans seeking high-value care wins, MSK conditions represent one of the biggest opportunities—with Vori Health’s physician-led care model having the potential to impact up to ten Star Rating measures. While traditional treatment models often lead to costly, unnecessary surgeries, Vori Health's holistic, non-operative approach reduces elective orthopedic procedures by 78 percent while driving remarkable patient outcomes: 82 percent of members significantly improved pain with an average pain reduction of 72 percent as well as an 86 percent increase in physical health scores. These results eliminate wasteful spending—delivering annual savings of up to $3,200 per member—while improving patient health and satisfaction, ultimately leading to higher HEDIS scores and Star Ratings.
A surge in virtual-to-hybrid MSK care conversions
As the rush to virtual-only care fades the further we move from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Grant believes that we will see more and more virtual MSK solutions try to adopt hybrid modalities in 2025.
“Every other vertical out there mixes in-person and virtual modalities…banking, shopping, corporate world,” explains Dr. Grant. “Hybrid care models are the future, and healthcare companies will follow where the market goes, and whoever best serves patients will grow. By offering both telehealth with in-person visits, healthcare companies can ensure continuity of care and allow patients to access the mode of care that best suits their needs.”
Hybrid care is uniquely positioned at the intersection of patient-centricity and value-driving care. With studies showing individuals prefer a hybrid model to wellness, a mixed-modality solution not only caters more to member needs and preferences but also provides more engagement that can be harder to obtain with virtual-only care (Wellhub, 2024).
At Vori,” shares Dr. Grant, “we believe it is not about virtual care versus in-person care, but rather it is just care. It is about meeting patients where they are.”
However, making the switch to hybrid is just the start. A key ingredient to the success of hybrid care is ensuring members feel fully supported when they’re not face-to-face with their clinician. This involves ongoing optimizations of the virtual modality. According to Dr. Grant, “We will see the continued evolution of telehealth platforms that prioritize more user-friendly interfaces, maximize the patient experience, and prioritize smooth transitions between virtual and in-person care.”
At the end of the day, the care that drives the most value to the member is the care that will drive the most value to the plan and make the best use of its assets. This lies at the heart of Vori Health’s hybrid MSK care model, which focuses entirely on the type and modality of care that each member truly needs in the way that they need it. “At Vori,” shares Dr. Grant, “we believe it is not about virtual care versus in-person care, but rather it is just care. It is about meeting patients where they are.”
Discover how hybrid, physician-led MSK care can drive maximum value for your members and your plan in 2025.
REFERENCES
- KFF, 2024: Poll: 1 in 8 Adults Say They’ve Taken a GLP-1 Drug, Including 4 in 10 of Those with Diabetes and 1 in 4 of Those with Heart Disease. Kaiser Family Foundation.
- Khemlani, 2024: Khemlani A. GLP-1 questions emerge for 2025. Yahoo Finance.
- Rosa, 2021: Rosa S, Martins D, Martins M, Guimarães B, Cabral L, Horta L. Body Mass Index and Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus. 2021;13(2):e13400.
- CMS, 2024: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Programs to Remain Stable as CMS Implements Improvements to the Programs in 2025. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- Wellhub, 2024: 2024 Trends Report: Year in Review. Wellhub.
