Return on Investment (ROI) Estimate: Rehab
BILLING: $11,636/year + better outcomes
Research shows that standing exercise may result in greater patient functional improvements and mitigate the negative effects of prolonged sitting1-3.
Seated activity should be billed using CPT code 97110 (therapeutic exercise, where Medicare currently pays $31.40/code), but this may not lead to a significant reduction in the risk of falls or disease progression.
S3 allows for standing exercise, yields more “functional” gains and is usually billed using CPT code 97530 (therapeutic activities, where Medicare currently pays $40.42/code), in which appropriate intensity will likely result in substantial gains along with a reduction in falls and disease progression.
Example: billing 5 units/day of 97530 instead of 97110 = $11,636/year + improved outcomes.
STAFF STRAIN: 65,250 pounds/year
Even when proper transfer techniques are used, patient handling is the primary cause of injury to healthcare workers4.
S3 significantly reduces or eliminates staff strain as a potent transfer aid.
Example: assuming an average of 50 lb/transfer/staff member5 and 5 transfers/day, S3 could reduce the amount lifted by one staff member by 65,250 lb/year.
STAFF HOURS: 323 hours/year
With fewer multi-person transfers required, staff can be redirected to other tasks. Further, Hoyer lifts and sit-to-stand devices take time to set up/clean and often break down.
In contrast, S3 takes only 1 second to set up, is easy to clean and has a working capacity of 1,000 lb.
Example: an average of 15’/transfer (including staff arrival and return) and 5 patients/day requiring 2 staff members for a mod-A transfer, S3 would reduce the number of required staff members to 1, resulting in a savings of 323 staff hours/year.
PATIENT EXPANSION: $70,000/year
Patients in need of standing exercise (e.g., those at high fall risk, obese, in wheelchairs, etc) are ideal candidates for S3 therapy without adding resources and/or straining staff.
Example: given an average of 20 patients/year at $3,500/patient = $70,000/year.
GROUP THERAPY: $28,081/year
Currently under PDPM, Medicare pays $18.14/CPT per patient under CPT code 97150 (group therapy).
Example: given 6 S3 devices and 5 classes/week, each class = $108.84/class, or $28,081 per year.
1Mueller M et al. Weight-bearing vs. non-weight-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).