Northside Hospital: Reducing MSK Costs Through a Complementary Care Model

“I LOVE this program. It’s easy to squeeze in on bad, overloaded days — the exercises are short, manageable, and they really help me feel better. It even inspires me to do more.”

—Northside Hospital employee and Hinge Health participant

About Northside Hospital

Northside Hospital is one of Georgia’s leading health systems, known for its compassionate care and clinical excellence. With five acute care hospitals and over 36,000 employees, the system is nationally recognized for its strength in oncology, women’s health, and orthopedics. 

Terri Wood leads the team responsible for supporting the well-being of Northside Hospital’s clinical staff — a workforce that is predominantly women and constantly on the move. As Senior Director of Benefits, her mission is clear: ensure that Northside Hospital’s caregivers have access to the same high-quality care they provide every day.

Understanding the MSK Care Gap Among Clinical Employees

“Clinical is just a beast on its own. Our staff — who are mostly women — are constantly moving and lifting,” she explains. Despite their expertise, many staff members were self-diagnosing or delaying treatment for musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. The physical and emotional demands of the job left little time to seek care, often resulting in escalating issues, time off work, or medical leave.

Terri and her team knew they needed a new approach: one that would meet busy clinicians where they are, support their mental and physical well-being, and drive down plan costs. “If we make it easier for employees to take care of themselves, then we’re helping their mental well-being, their physical health — everything,” she said.

When Northside Hospital began evaluating digital MSK solutions, they approached it cautiously. As a care provider themselves, they wanted reassurance that a program like Hinge Health would not compete with their in-house services or affect revenue. Conversations with peer hospitals eased those concerns. Terri said, “We heard from other hospitals that Hinge Health could partner with them without disrupting their business. That gave us the confidence to move forward.” 

Cost comparisons further supported the decision: Hinge Health could deliver comparable outcomes at a fraction of the cost — lowering overall plan spend without impacting the hospital’s business.

Delivering Accessible Care: Implementation and Outcomes

The partnership between Northside Hospital and Hinge Health was rooted in trust and collaboration. Together, they built a launch plan that allowed Northside Hospital to introduce the benefit without overwhelming staff or disrupting patient care. As Terri shared, “The rollout went really well. We did it across multiple campuses and got great feedback from leaders and employees.” 

Early demand was so strong that employees quickly asked to expand the offering to include Hinge Health’s Women’s Pelvic Health program, which provides comprehensive care for pelvic floor conditions across the lifespan — from postpartum to menopause — through exercise therapy, education, and guidance from specialized clinicians.

The benefits that have stood out to Northside Hospital employees include:

• Convenience and access: Members can complete care anytime, anywhere — a perfect fit for hospital staff with busy schedules.

• No copays: Accessing care through Hinge Health eliminates financial barriers. “The cost savings to employees are a big deal. If they had to go in-person, that would be a deterrent — Hinge Health removes that barrier,” Terri noted.

• Proven pain relief: Many rely on the Enso device during busy shifts — ideal for healthcare workers seeking quick, lasting relief. One Northside Hospital employee said, “The Enso is amazing. I’ve been telling everyone about it. The combination of both the program and the device works extremely well. I have so much to thank Hinge Health for.”

Offering digital MSK care has helped Northside Hospital reach caregivers who wouldn’t otherwise seek care — filling a critical gap for the healthcare staff who need support. From a plan perspective, Hinge Health has helped reduce overall MSK spend without affecting Northside Hospital’s in-house services, becoming a complementary extension of the hospital’s care model to empower staff to manage their pain early and effectively. Terri emphasized this balance: “We were looking for something that would reduce MSK costs and help people take care of themselves. Hinge Health really helps with both.”

Northside Hospital’s experience shows how digital MSK care can complement a health system’s own physical therapy, giving caregivers a convenient, preventive option that reduces costs, improves well-being, and strengthens its culture of care. As Terri put it, “We want to care for our employees the way they care for our patients. That’s the goal — and Hinge Health helps us do that.”