DENVER, CO — The Colorado Health Foundation today announced an investment and mission-focused partnership with Telespine, a local digital health company. Founded in 2013, Telespine has created a clinically proven platform to engage patients in the maintenance and control of their back health. They provide telehealth tools and resources to help patients receive immediate relief and recover from low back pain with the help of expert online coaches.
The $250,000 program-related investment in Telespine is part of the Foundation’s Private Sector Initiatives program, which seeks to increase the opportunities to improve the health of Coloradans.
“Telespine can provide access to cost-effective, convenient health care treatment for lower back pain to individuals who do not have geographical access to traditional care in office-based health care settings or have limited or no insurance benefits,” said Jesse Wolff, Director of Private Sector Initiatives for the Foundation. “The Telespine platform aligns with the Foundation’s goal to decrease Coloradans’ abilities to engage in usual activities due to poor health. A key strategy for achieving this is through increased access to technology for enhanced care, such as Telespine’s telehealth delivery method that offers personalized exercise and education tutorials, online video consults and coach-to-patient messaging, as well as individualized patient reminders and notifications.”
Lower back injury has been characterized by the World Health Organization as a very common health problem and a major cause of disability that affects general well-being as well as performance in the workplace. It affects persons of all ages and is a leading cause of work absence worldwide, imposing economic burdens on individuals, families, communities and governments. With Telespine, employers can now dramatically cut costs associated with low back pain and lost productivity while employees can get back to their jobs faster.
Early outcomes data generated through pilot studies showed that patients using the Telespine program experienced 21 percent fewer doctor office visits per episode of back pain, 50 percent faster recovery and 96 percent lower health care costs.
“We are very excited to have the support of the Colorado Health Foundation, and are confident that our partnership will help drive access to innovative digital health solutions for all Coloradans suffering from lower back pain,” said Mark Barnes, CEO of Telespine.