Transforming Recovery: WorkSafe Victoria’s Successful 2-Year Pilot with Perx Health

In an innovative two-year pilot program, WorkSafe Victoria teamed up with Perx Health to improve return-to-work rates and recovery outcomes for injured workers. The developed a digital program whose goals were to support self-management for injured Victorians, and to quantify the impact on health and business outcomes.

Post-pilot analysis showed program participants were twice as likely to return to work within a year, and had an average of 90% adherence to recovery tasks. The program delivered an 8x return on investment with projected $3 million in savings. The program’s success has led to its expansion across all WorkSafe claims as a standard offering.

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Background on the Pilot Program

In worker's compensation claims, the ability of an individual to self-manage plays a significant role in determining their outcomes. WorkSafe VIC takes pride in supporting injured workers to achieve a speedy and effective recovery. In response to increasingly complex workers’ compensation claims, in 2022 WorkSafe VIC teamed up with Perx Health to provide a new program to injured Victorians. This partnership aimed to:

• Provide a scalable injury recovery program that was be accessible to all workers
• Encourage individuals to complete their rehabilitation plans
• Sustain motivation throughout recoveries, and
• Improve return-to-work outcomes for injured individuals throughout their claims process

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Perx Pilot Design

Perx Health provided workers with a digital case management program that motivated them to stick to their daily rehabilitation plan. The Perx smartphone app used behavioural science to built healthy habits with workers, included completion of daily medications, appointments, exercises, education sessions, health goal measurements, and surveys.

Workers were prompted each day to complete their rehabilitation tasks, and were rewarded with financial incentives, games and community support.

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Key Outcomes of the Pilot

The outcomes of the pilot program were impressive, highlighting the effectiveness of Perx's approach of motivating injured workers. Here are some of the key results:

• Improved Return-to-Work Rates: Workers who participated in the program were 1.7 times more likely to return to work within a year compared to those who did not participate.
• High Adherence to Recovery Tasks: The program achieved a 90% adherence rate to recovery tasks. This high level of compliance is critical in ensuring that workers stay on track with their recovery plans, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
• Exceptional Return on Investment: The pilot program delivered an impressive 8x return on investment for WorkSafe Victoria, resulting in a projected $3 million in financial savings. These savings were achieved through reduced claims costs and quicker recovery times, demonstrating the economic viability of the program.
• Worker Satisfaction: The program received positive feedback from the participants, with 81% reporting that they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the program.

Testimonials from Participants

Workers loved using the Perx app. One participant shared, “This app has been a game changer for me. I have not forgotten to take my medication and I don’t find myself second-guessing whether I did take it.” Another participant emphasized the positive impact of the app on their mental health, stating, “It has been extremely helpful in motivating me through the dark days to keep on track with my recovery.”

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Methodology and Expansion

The collaboration between WorkSafe Victoria and Perx Health was marked by a high level of cooperation and data-driven decision-making. The pilot’s success has led to the expansion of the program, making it a standard offering for all WorkSafe Victoria claims. This expansion reflects the confidence in the program’s ability to deliver consistent, positive results across a broader population.

Conclusion

The partnership between WorkSafe Victoria and Perx Health has set a new standard for digital health interventions in the workers’ compensation space. The pilot program not only improved health outcomes and RTW rates but also delivered substantial financial savings. As the program expands, it is poised to continue making a significant impact on the recovery and well-being of injured workers across Victoria.

For more information on how Perx Health can benefit your organization, contact Fiona Hammond at fiona@perxhealth.com.