Managing arthritis through exercise: A proven strategy for lower costs and better member experience
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions among older adults, one that contributes to poor quality of life and raises the risk of debilitating health events, like falls. Care for arthritis costs up to $128 billion every year. And while exercise and movement is actually one of the primary treatment pathways for adults living with chronic pain, for Medicare Advantage plans, arthritis is one of the main reasons that engagement in traditional exercise solutions is so low.
Closing the exercise gap is one of the top cost-saving and engagement opportunities available to health plans today. With the rising focus on physical and mental health in the Star Ratings program, the opportunity in addressing arthritis could not be more clear: older adults who suffer from chronic pain report worse mental health, including higher rates of depression and anxiety.
But arthritis pain doesn’t automatically mean inactivity. Movement is one of the most effective tools for relief. Daily physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and weight management are believed to help prevent and slow progression of arthritis. Member-focused health plans are recognizing the opportunity to think about movement-based therapies differently, unlocking tremendous value for members — and their bottom lines.
The link between arthritis and rising costs
Pain is a powerful deterrent to movement. For many adults with arthritis, the fear of worsening symptoms creates a vicious cycle: Less movement → increased stiffness and inflammation → higher fall risk → greater likelihood of hospitalizations and disability.
This cycle is more than a clinical concern, it’s a strategic one. We know that inactivity is associated with a host of health issues including diabetes, poor mental health, and loss of independence. These are all issues that CMS has prioritized through the Star Ratings program. And nearly 90 million Americans live with arthritis — a number expected to rise sharply in the coming decades.
The Star Ratings challenge
Less than 15% of adults achieve guideline-recommended physical activity.
Lack of movement touches both triple-weighted measures derived from the HOS: Improving or Maintaining Physical Health and Improving or Maintaining Mental Health.
Helping members with arthritis start and sustain a healthy exercise routine is a thorny challenge for health plans. Plans are tasked with motivating a population for whom exercise can feel inaccessible, confusing, or even risky. Addressing arthritis with personalized, pain-aware programs isn’t just helpful — it’s essential to drive long-term engagement.
Personalized movement is the turning point
Bold’s clinical programs are designed specifically for older adults with pain, joint stiffness, and arthritis. The key isn’t to ignore pain — it’s to work with it, not against it. We combine therapeutic movement with education and reassurance. More than 80% of members report improved confidence, balance, and mobility — outcomes that directly impact total cost of care and functional health measures.
The role of exercise therapy in managing arthritis
One of Bold’s most important tools is Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE), a clinically validated education strategy that helps older adults reframe how they understand pain. PNE teaches that not all pain is harmful. It helps members distinguish between “good” pain, like muscle soreness after activity) and “bad” pain, sharp or persistent joint pain. Studies show Paine Neuroscience Education can significantly reduce pain-related fear and improve exercise adherence in older adults with arthritis.
“Many people think of pain as a stop sign,” says Alicia Rios, Bold’s Exercise Programming and Content Manager. “When I work with older adults, the right education and support allows them to see it differently. That mindset shift is where real change begins.”
Alicia works directly with members to build trust, break down barriers, and progress gradually. “Some muscle soreness is part of building strength,” she adds. “But sharp joint pain? That’s a signal to modify. Learning to read your body is powerful.”
By layering in movement education with condition-specific programming, Bold helps members overcome fear, reduce their symptoms, and unlock a stronger, more independent version of themselves. It’s not just exercise — it’s clinical care, personalized.
Reducing pain and improving mobility: A member’s story with Bold
Regular, tailored exercise is one of the most effective tools to manage arthritis — reducing joint pain, improving function, and enhancing quality of life. But for many older adults, getting started is the hardest part.
Bold is designed to change that.
Susan is a 69-year-old retired high school teacher who was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about eight years ago. “I was just feeling like I was just sort of waiting for the disease to get worse and worse,” she said. “Then I joined Bold — and I could feel the difference it was making.”
Psoriatic arthritis is not only physically painful, but also linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety. For Susan, daily movement through Bold became a lifeline. “I also have depression, as many psoriatic arthritis patients do. I am convinced I wouldn’t have fared well through the pandemic isolation if I hadn’t had daily exercise. Bold has helped my mental health.”
A few years later, she experienced a major fall: “My right femur snapped. I spent 6 weeks in a wheelchair, but I was healing really well.” Susan changed her Bold program to seated workouts only and after another 6 weeks, she returned to her surgeon.
“[My doctor] was astounded that I was walking without the assistance of a cane or a walker. He gave me the go-ahead to do standing cardio. I hope I’m going to be back to where I was last April. Bold, I’m sure, has made my recovery what it has been.”
Driving better outcomes for members with arthritis
To see outcomes like Susan’s at scale, plans should prioritize programs that:
- Offer seated and joint-friendly movement classes to do at home that reduce pain and restore flexibility
- Provide education on inflammation, safe modifications, and pain management to give members confidence
- Include strength training, proven to reduce joint pain and increase mobility
- Address mental health, build confidence, and offer tools to support the emotional challenges of arthritis and chronic pain
Why arthritis support is a strategic priority
At a time where CMS is increasing the weight of physical and mental health measures in Star Ratings, it’s not enough to offer supplemental benefits. Plans must demonstrate real, measurable impact.
Bold delivers health benefits, engagement, and retention, with 8 in 10 members saying Bold makes them more likely to stay with their plan.
Supporting members with arthritis isn’t just about pain relief — it’s about giving them the tools to move more confidently through life.