Living with back pain? You don't have to manage it alone.

The REACH Study connects you with a psychologist — at no cost to you — who can help you feel better. Everything happens from your phone or computer. No office visits needed.

See If You Can Join →
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Meet Dr. Rassu

What is the REACH Study?

REACH stands for Research and Engagement for Advancing Chronic pain Healthcare. It's a study at Johns Hopkins that's looking at new ways to help people with long-lasting back pain.

Here's the idea: pain isn't just physical. Stress, sleep, mood — they all play a part. A psychologist can teach you real skills to manage your pain and feel more in control. But most people never get the chance to work with one.

That's what this study is about. We want to make it easier for you to get this kind of help — and we want to learn how to do it better for everyone.

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What happens if I join?

  1. Fill out a short survey

    Tell us a little about yourself so we can see if the study is a good fit. This takes about 10 minutes.

  2. Talk with a psychologist (virtual)

    You'll have one video visit with a licensed psychologist. This visit lasts about two hours, and your Medicaid covers it — you pay nothing. The psychologist will learn about your pain and talk with you about ways to feel better.

  3. Complete three check-in surveys

    Over the next six months, we'll ask you to fill out three short online surveys about how you're doing. You'll get paid up to $175 in Amazon gift cards for completing them.

  4. Keep meeting with a psychologist (optional)

    If you'd like, you can do up to eight more virtual sessions with a psychologist to build skills for managing your pain. These visits are also covered by your Medicaid — no cost to you.

That's it. Everything is virtual. You can do it all from home.

Can I join?

You might be a good fit if:

  • You're between 18 and 64 years old
  • You've had low back pain for 3 months or more
  • You're on Medicaid (like Jai Medical Systems, Priority Partners, or Maryland Medical Assistance) — or you have both Medicare and Medicaid
  • You're not already seeing a psychologist or therapist for pain right now

Not sure if you qualify? Fill out the interest form and we'll help you figure it out.

See If You Can Join →

You'll be paid for your time

$175

in Amazon gift cards for taking part in the study.

The psychology visits are covered by your insurance at no cost to you.

Questions you might have

Is this really free?

Yes. The psychology visits are covered by your Medicaid insurance. You won't get a bill. And you'll be paid for the surveys.

Do I have to go anywhere?

No. Everything happens by video call or online. You can do it all from your phone or computer at home.

Is this safe? Is my information private?

Yes. This study is run by Johns Hopkins and has been reviewed by their research safety board to make sure it's safe and fair. Your personal information is kept private.

What if I change my mind?

That's okay. You can stop at any time. There's no penalty.