New Study: Virtual Pain Care Helps Reduce Healthcare Utilization & Improve Work Productivity
Showing consistent reductions across multiple healthcare service areas, this research aligns with what prior studies have shown: when people feel better and function better in daily life, they often need less intensive medical care.
Explore research presented at The American Academy of Pain Medicine PainConnect Conference 2026, co-authored with Dr. Marius Birlea (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) and Dr. Rena Courtney (Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine).
Summary
A healthcare utilization survey found that after starting Lin Health’s virtual care program, participants reported using less medical care, including reduced prescription pain medication, as well as fewer surgeries/procedures, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and primary care and specialist visits. Participants also reported missing fewer days of work and feeling more present and productive when they were working.
To access the full analysis, please see the scientific abstract and the full poster presentation.
Healthcare
Utilization Impact
After participating in Lin Health’s treatment, many people reported meaningful reductions in healthcare use and improved day-to-day functioning.
Specifically, among participants reporting category utilization before Lin’s treatment:
- 63%reduced emergency department visits
- 60%reduced surgeries or procedures
- 56%reduced hospital admissions
- 52%reduced specialist visits
- 47%reduced primary care visits
Prescription Pain
Medication Use
Among those who reported using prescription pain medication before Lin:
- 68%reduced prescription pain medication use
- 29%stopped using prescription pain medication altogether
Work-Life Impact
- 79%reduced abstenteeism(i.e., missed workdays)
- 79%reduced presenteeism(i.e., being present at work yet not fully functioning)
Clinical Significance
These real-world survey results suggest that Lin Health’s virtual care program can help people living with persistent pain and discomfort reduce their healthcare utilization, while better aligning their treatment with recommended care guidelines.
Considering Lin Health’s program is delivered virtually and is insurance-reimbursable, the findings point to something even bigger: meaningful improvements in healthcare use and function for individuals suffering from chronic pain may be possible through a care model that is both accessible and scalable.
We are excited to continue our research and conduct more rigorous studies that further validate these findings and our model of care.
A special thanks to our co-authors Dr. Marius Birlea (University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus) and Dr. Rena Courtney (Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine). We are thankful to collaborate with experts to help advance the evidence base for virtual, multi-modal chronic pain care.
Butler S, Shapiro H, McNamara K, Troutner A, Krishnaswami J, Courtney R, Birlea M. A Virtual Multimodal Psychological Intervention for Chronic Pain Reduces Self-Reported Healthcare Utilization. Presented at: The American Academy of Pain Medicine PainConnect 2026; March 7, 2026; Salt Lake City, UT.