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Protera Health, a company that aims to help organizations lower musculoskeletal (MSK) care costs, announced it expanded its partnership with Emplify Health, a Wisconsin-based healthcare network, to bring Protera's physician-led, multidisciplinary virtual MSK care model to the broader Emplify Health employee population.
Protera Health helps health plans, employers and value-based companies establish network contracts and launch enrollment campaigns.
It also performs comprehensive health assessments that focus on patients, including their physical, pain coping and emotional health, and connect them with the right services.
For providers, Protera Health offers virtual multidisciplinary physical therapy for their patients.
"This expansion reflects the strength of our outcomes and shared vision to deliver better health through accessible, integrated digital care," Dr. Eric Makhni, CEO of Protera Health, said in a statement.
THE LARGER TREND
In 2022, Bellin Health and Gunderson merged, and in 2024 they announced they would operate under the name Emplify Health.
In August, Protera Health announced its integration with Epic via EpicCare Link.
This enabled Protera Health's nationwide network of clinicians to access patient medical history, imaging and referral information in real time and allowed participating health plans and health systems to view Protera Health's clinical documentation directly within Epic.
In 2024, Bellin Health partnered with Protera Health to deliver virtual musculoskeletal care to its self-insured health system employees.
The partnership brought Protera Health's integrated practice unit solution directly into the health system's employee wellness and benefits program.
Other companies in the musculoskeletal space include Hinge Health, which went public earlier this year on the NYSE under the symbol HNGE. It raised around $437.3 million with its initial public offering, which sold 9.14 million shares.
Hinge Health offers patients with MSK conditions access to orthopedic surgeons, health coaches, physical therapists and technological resources, such as surgery decision support.
In April, Hinge Health partnered with Cigna Healthcare to offer the health insurance company's self-insured clients access to Hinge's digital MSK care platform.
In May, Omada Health sought a valuation of around $1.1 billion with its initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol OMDA.
It offered an aggregate of 7.9 million shares of its common stock and plans to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to buy up to 1.185 million additional shares of stock at the initial public price.
Omada Health services include management for diabetes, cardiometabolic health, hypertension and musculoskeletal conditions.
In March, Vori Health announced it had raised an oversubscribed $53 million in a Series B funding round.
Vori Health offers virtual and in-person musculoskeletal care. The company connects patients with specialty medical doctors, health coaches, physical therapists and nutritionists.
