Study in The American Journal of Managed Care finds reduced overall medical spend and acute care utilization
CHICAGO, IL — January 2026 — A newly published, peer-reviewed study in a special Health IT issue of the The American Journal of Managed Care found that Cylinder Health’s digestive health solution delivered a 5:1 return on investment and significantly reduced emergency department and inpatient utilization.
The study followed 347 participants and 1,041 matched controls at Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) over a one-year period, and included study authors affiliated with Vanderbilt University, Johns Hopkins University, and NYU. Participants enrolled in Cylinder’s digestive health program saw an 18% reduction in total medical and pharmacy claim cost compared to controls.
Digestive conditions had long been a cost concern for MNPS, where many employees, especially classroom educators, struggled to access timely care due to rigid schedules and limited flexibility to leave during the day.
“Digestive issues have always been a source of frustration and cost, but this program gave us a way to take real, measurable action,” said David Hines, Executive Director of Benefits at MNPS. “Cylinder helped our employees feel better, stay at work, and avoid unnecessary care.”
According to Dr. Martha Shepherd, Medical Director for Vanderbilt Health at MNPS, and lead author of the study, the results demonstrated both clinical and financial value.
“We observed measurable improvements in outcomes and care utilization—particularly reductions in emergency and inpatient visits—through timely, evidence based GI care,” said Dr. Shepherd. “These results demonstrate that clinically grounded, proactive support can lead to meaningful improvements in both health outcomes and total cost of care.”
Dr. Hau Liu, Chief Medical Officer at Cylinder Health and a co-author of the study, said the findings offer rare, peer-reviewed validation of employer aligned impact.
“It’s uncommon for digital health solutions to demonstrate return on investment in the peer-reviewed literature—particularly in employer settings,” Liu said. “These results show that it’s possible to deliver clinically rigorous, proactive GI care that also reduces cost and utilization. That combination is critical for employers navigating rising health care spend.”
A high cost category employers can control
Digestive health is one of the most prevalent and costly categories for employers, yet it remains a blind spot in most benefit strategies. GI conditions drive avoidable emergency visits, high cost prescriptions, and repeated care, especially for employees managing symptoms in silence. In addition, higher cost claimants are more likely to experience higher savings, highlighting the potential for meaningful impact when digestive health is proactively managed.
What sets Cylinder apart in a crowded market
Unlike solutions focused solely on elimination diets or behavioral coaching, Cylinder delivers coordinated, evidence based care for the full spectrum of gastrointestinal conditions. Patients are supported by a multidisciplinary team including gastroenterologists, gut-brain specialists, registered dietitians, health coaches, and care coordinators to ensure the right support based on each patient’s needs and goals.
Cylinder is also addressing a critical gap in access. Its virtual first model offers 24/7 clinical support, enabling members to receive timely, personalized care without traditional barriers like long wait times or referral delays.
Having served more than 125,000 members in all 50 states, Cylinder is the trusted digestive health partner for forward thinking employers and health plans seeking measurable results, high engagement, and seamless integration.
About the study
The study used a rigorous, matched cohort design to assess claims outcomes over a one-year period, comparing employees enrolled in Cylinder Health to a similar propensity score matched control group. The methodology and analysis were independently validated and peer-reviewed by study authors affiliated with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Carey School of Business. The full study is published in the January 2026 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care.
Contact press@cylinderhealth.com for more information.
About Cylinder
Cylinder is the leading virtual digestive health provider, delivering personalized, clinician-backed care for the full spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and symptoms including GERD, Ulcerative Colitis, celiac disease, bloating, gas and more. With a dedicated care team that includes GI doctors, registered dietitians, and health coaches, Cylinder has helped over 100,000 people across all 50 states to date. Its platform combines digital access with evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance quality of life. Backed by published, peer-reviewed clinical results, Cylinder delivers up to 5:1 ROI and industry-leading 13% employee engagement. Trusted by employers and health plans including Texas A&M University and US Foods, Cylinder is helping make GI care more accessible.
