Return on Investment (ROI) Estimate: Rehab
Billing: $11,636 per year + improved outcomes
The use of standing exercise as opposed to seated activity has the potential to increase revenue and enhance treatment outcomes, as research suggests that standing exercise can result in more substantial functional improvements for patients who are able to stand, as well as mitigate the negative effects of prolonged sitting1-3.
Specifically, standing exercise may be preferred for patients with multiple impairmentsand limited treatment time. Seated activities designed to improve strength, flexibility, posture, etc. should be billed using CPT code 97110 (therapeutic exercise) and currently, Medicare pays $31.40 per code. However, this type of activity may not lead to a significant reduction in the risk of falls or disease progression.
Conversely, standing exercise is considered more “functional” and typically billed using CPT code 97530 (therapeutic activities), with Medicare paying $40.42 per code. With appropriate intensity, standing exercise can result in substantial functional improvement and a reduction in falls and disease progression.
Using S³ Balance for standing exercise enables staff to use this type of exercise with minimal strain, especially when working with patients who may be difficult to move.
Example: billing 5 units/day of 97530 instead of 97110 = $11,636/year + improved outcomes.
Staff strain: 65,250 pounds per year
Even when proper techniques are used, patient handling is the primary cause of injury to healthcare workers4.
The loads imposed on staff during transfers (e.g., sit-to-stand, supine-to-sit) can be significantly reduced or eliminated by using S³ Balance as an immediate transfer aid. Videos 1-4 demonstrate this benefit.
Example: assuming an average of 50 lb/transfer/staff member5 and 5 transfers/day, S³ Balance could reduce the amount lifted by one staff member by 65,250 lb/year.
Staff hours: 323 hours per year
With fewer multi-person transfers required, staff can be redirected to other tasks. Additionally, Hoyer lifts and sit-to-stand devices take a considerable amount of time to set up and clean and often break down.
In contrast, S³ Balance takes only 3 seconds to set up, is easy to clean and has a working capacity of 600 lb.
Example: assuming an average of 15 minutes per transfer (including staff arrival and return) and 5 patients/day requiring 2 staff members for a mod-A transfer, S³ Balance would reduce the number of required staff members to 1, resulting in a savings of 323 staff hours/year.
Patient expansion: $70,000 per year
Patients desperately needing standing exercise (e.g., those who are obese, in wheelchairs, etc) immediately become ideal candidates for therapy without having to add resources and/or strain existing staff.
Example: given an average of 20 patients/year at $3,500/patient = $70,000/year.
Group therapy: $28,081 per year
For many years, rehab has avoided group therapy due to poor reimbursement.
However, currently under PDPM, Medicare pays $18.14 per CPT code 97150 (group therapy).
Example: given 6 S3 Balance devices and 5 classes/week, each class = $108.84/class, or $28,081 per year.
1Mueller M et al. Weight-bearing vs. nonweight-bearing exercise for persons with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehab (2013) May; 94(5): 829-38.
2Hoke M et al. Impact of exercise on bone mineral density, fall prevention and vertebral fragility fractures in postmenopausal osteoporotic women. J Clin Neurosci (2020) June; 76: 261-3.
3Matthews CE et al. Mortality benefits for replacing sitting time with different physical activities. Med Sci Sp Exerc (2015) 47.9; 1833-40.
4Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012). Table 18. In Economic News Release: Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away from Work, 2011. See www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ osh2_11082012.htm. These data cover all ownership types.
5Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011).