Walgreens Find Care adds Kiio digital musculoskeletal therapy
Walgreens is once again growing the offerings of its digital health platform. The company has added Kiio’s pain management and prevention solution to its Walgreens Find Care offering, which is available via the retailer's app and website.
Kiio, a leader in digital musculoskeletal therapy, uses evidence-based clinical protocols and technology to deliver personalized therapeutic exercise, education and interactive coaching digitally. The solution allows people to use their phone or tablet to get immediate access to an individualized program to help address any back, knee, neck and hip pain. Available on-demand 24/7, Kiio also can help avoid unnecessary and aggressive treatments and a reduction in the amount of pain medication needed.
[Read more: Pharmacy tackles big underlying health obstacles]
“Many people use their pharmacy as a front door to the healthcare system. We’re proud to partner with Walgreens, one of the nation’s most trusted, forward-thinking health care providers,” said Kiio CEO Lydia Zeller. “Making Kiio widely available via Walgreens Find Care fits perfectly with our mission to bring innovative approaches to increase access to MSK care that’s proven to work quickly and get people back to doing the things they love.”
Previously, Kiio was only available through a health plan or employer, and the company said 60% its members have less pain within one week of using its tools, with 90% of members saying they would recommend it to a friend. Kiio also has been the subject of four longitudinal claims-based studies that it said have show as much as a 72% reduction in medical spend within a year, and as much as an 89% reduction in opioid use among people using Kiio.
“With Kiio a person in pain can answer screening questions at 9:00 PM on a Friday, download Kiio, do their first personalized exercise therapy routine in 7 minutes, repeat the next 2 days, and be on their way to feeling better by the end of their weekend. That’s impactful,” Zeller said.
[Read more: Walgreens, Northwell Health ink strategic agreement]
Giovanni Monti, Walgreens Boots Alliance senior vice president of healthcare services, said “Walgreens’ collaboration with Kiio reflects our commitment to help customers find pain management solutions in our stores and virtually. Kiio is a strong fit with the growing list of pain management and prevention solutions available through Walgreens Find Care to offer customers convenient, easy access to care when and how they need it.”
Kiio executive stressed that the time is ripe for making paint-management solutions more accessible and flexible.
“[Musculoskeletal] issues were already in the top three medical cost drivers, and their incidence has increased during COVID-19 with poor ergonomics, stress, and decreased mobility. Studies suggest 40% of Americans are still putting off medical care,” said Alex Kramer, Kiio vice president of product. “It’s also crucial to address the fact that pain and mental well-being go hand in hand. … At a time when mental health symptoms are increasing, 80% of Kiio users report stable or improved mental well-being. Walgreens Find Care expands Kiio’s reach so people can get the pain management and positive benefits they need without delay.”