Protera Health, Emplify Health Expand Partnership

Protera Health, a company focused on helping organizations reduce musculoskeletal (MSK) care costs, announced that it has expanded its partnership with Emplify Health, a Wisconsin-based healthcare network. The collaboration will extend Protera’s physician-led, multidisciplinary virtual MSK care model to Emplify Health’s broader employee population.

The company works with health plans, employers, and value-based organizations to establish network contracts and launch enrollment campaigns. It also conducts comprehensive health assessments that evaluate patients’ physical, emotional, and pain-coping health, then connects them with appropriate services. For providers, Protera Health delivers virtual multidisciplinary physical therapy programs.

“This expansion reflects the strength of our outcomes and shared vision to deliver better health through accessible, integrated digital care,” said Dr. Eric Makhni, CEO of Protera Health.

Emplify Health itself was formed in 2022 following the merger of Bellin Health and Gundersen, and in 2024 the organizations adopted the Emplify name. That same year, Bellin Health partnered with Protera Health to provide virtual MSK care for its self-insured employees, bringing Protera’s integrated practice unit solution directly into its wellness and benefits program.

Protera has also deepened its technology integrations. In August, it announced integration with Epic via EpicCare Link, enabling its nationwide clinician network to access patient medical history, imaging, and referrals in real time, while also allowing participating health plans and systems to view Protera’s documentation directly within Epic.

Competition in the MSK space continues to heat up. Hinge Health went public earlier this year on the NYSE under the ticker HNGE, raising about $437.3 million in its IPO. Its platform connects patients with orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and health coaches while offering surgery decision support tools. In April, Hinge Health partnered with Cigna Healthcare to make its digital MSK platform available to Cigna’s self-insured clients.

Meanwhile, Omada Health filed for a Nasdaq IPO in May under the ticker OMDA, seeking a valuation of roughly $1.1 billion. Omada offers programs for diabetes, hypertension, cardiometabolic health, and MSK conditions. And in March, Vori Health raised $53 million in an oversubscribed Series B round to expand its hybrid virtual and in-person MSK care model, which connects patients to physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, and health coaches.