In an opinion piece for DC Journal, Joel M. Press, MD, physiatrist-in-chief at HSS, discusses how receiving the wrong diagnosis or treatment at the start of a musculoskeletal care journey can lead to unnecessary costs, prolonged pain and delays in recovery.

Dr. Press explains that evaluating healthcare costs one service at a time can miss the bigger picture. A seemingly less expensive treatment may ultimately cost more if it leads to additional appointments, imaging and procedures without bringing a patient closer to recovery.

“The cheapest option at any single stop isn’t necessarily the least expensive path to recovery,” Dr. Press writes. “What matters is helping patients reach the right diagnosis, receive the right treatment, and get back to their lives with as few costly detours as possible.”

He points to coordinated specialty care as one way to help patients avoid those detours, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up throughout a patient’s recovery.

Read the full article at DC Journal.