When Digital Care Becomes a Game Changer: How Phillips 66 Tackled Its MSK Transformation

Picture this: A Fortune 100 oil and gas company with some 14,000 employees spread across refineries, offices, and field operations—all wrestling with a prevalent, costly healthcare challenge. Enter Sword, a digital care solution that’s conveniently available to employees anywhere, anytime, with no need for appointments, referrals or in-office visits.?

The result? Healthier, more productive employees who can get convenient access to world-class care whenever they need it—and fewer surgery claims and lower medical spend for their employer.

This was the story shared by benefit leaders from Phillips 66 , at Sword’s recent Benefits Circle event in Dallas. At the intimate gathering held at the RH Rooftop Restaurant, Kim Baker, Senior Advisor for Total Rewards and Edwina Louthan, Benefits Advisor offered an inside look at how Phillips 66 tackled musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions with Sword’s virtual care programs.

Let's be honest: Traditional physical therapy was falling short for Phillips 66's workforce. Imagine being a field worker (about 60% of the company’s workforce) stationed hundreds of miles away from the nearest clinic, expected to squeeze in multiple PT appointments every week? Impossible. Many employees struggled to make even three in-office sessions.

As a result, acute injuries were sliding into chronic conditions, and costs rose accordingly. MSK consistently ranked as a top two healthcare spend category at Phillips 66. Year-over-year claims highlighted the urgent need for a targeted intervention.

Phillips 66 had relied on wellness programs and ergonomics initiatives to address MSK challenges, but the impact was limited. It became clear that a more innovative and accessible solution was needed.

When Phillips 66 began exploring the market for MSK solutions, benefit leaders were initially skeptical of virtual care. After all, both had experience as healthcare professionals: Baker as a registered nurse and Louthan as a physical therapist.

The pandemic reshaped their thinking on telehealth, and they began evaluating digital options. Their goal was to find a solution that was accessible, clinically effective, and financially viable.

1. Comprehensive testing: After extensive testing of the hardware and Sword’s virtual care program, the benefits team found that Sword outperformed competitors with its clinical rigor and advanced technology.
2. Key differentiators:

• Clinical excellence: Sword’s exclusive use of Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPTs) was a standout feature.
• Innovative technology: Sword’s computer vision technology provided accurate, real-time feedback, a feature that impressed both decision-makers and users.
• Engagement metrics: High engagement and completion rates (90%) demonstrated the program’s ability to drive sustained participation, a critical gap in traditional physical therapy models.

3. The human connection: The close personal interaction between participants and DPTs set Sword apart.?

4. Support for Implementation: Sword’s communications strategy, including customized marketing content and mailers, helped Phillips 66 effectively promote the program. Email proved to be the most successful channel for the company.

After thorough evaluation, Phillips 66 launched Sword in January 2023, offering the program to participants in its PPO and HDHP plans. The response was immediate and overwhelming.

In its first year, Sword delivered exceptional results for Phillips 66:

• 2.3x ROI: The program achieved $1.7 million in gross savings and over $1million in net savings.
• Surgery avoidance: A 50% reduction in surgery intent highlighted the program’s impact on preventing invasive procedures.
• High engagement: More than 1,500 employees enrolled in the program, with 830 actively participating.

These results clearly demonstrate the value of Sword’s programs to Phillips 66: Happier, more satisfied employees who can now prioritize their health like never before. Fewer costly MSK surgeries and lower medical spend overall.

After seeing the success of Sword’s physical therapy program, Phillips 66 decided to expand its Sword benefit and begin offering Bloom—Sword’s solution for the 1 in 3 women who suffer from a pelvic health disorder, such as urinary incontinence or endometriosis.

With Sword, Phillips 66 showed how innovative digital health can transform workplace wellness and make a significant impact on both employee outcomes and financial savings.