We’re all familiar with physical pain, a warning sign in our body indicating a problem that needs attention. Pain can either be acute, meaning new; subacute, lasting for a few weeks or months; or chronic, lasting more than 3 months[1]. Nearly 100 million Americans experience chronic pain – more than those who have diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined[2].

In recognition of September being Pain Awareness Month, we’d like to remind you that AFSPA’s Foreign Service Benefit Plan (FSBP) members have access to the Pain Management Program as part of the In Touch Care (ITC) Program. This program is designed to help members cope with chronic pain, manage opioid usage or avoid having to start opioids.

Enrolled members will receive coaching and support, which includes help identifying available alternative pain treatment plans. These may include injection therapies, cognitive therapies, psychosocial support, medical devices (e.g. nerve stimulators), and more. For more information, click here or call 800-593-2354 from Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST).

FSBP members dealing with chronic pain also have access to Hinge Health, a free health benefit designed to help you conquer chronic pain from home. Hinge Health provides a tablet, wearable sensors, a physical therapist and board certified or accredited health coach, to decrease your pain through self-guided exercise therapy sessions.

On average, Hinge Health participants reduce their pain by over 60% and are less interested in surgery as a treatment option. For more information on Hinge Health, or to apply, click here.

If these programs don’t appeal to you, but you still want help managing your pain in a holistic manner, try chiropractic, acupuncture, or massage therapy services. FSBP covers 50 visits, per service, per person, per calendar year (up to $60 per visit). You can find detailed information on coverage for these services in the 2021 FSBP Brochure Section 5(a) under Chiropractic and Alternative treatments.

[1] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-pain

[2] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/stories/september_pain_awareness_month.html