Switchboard Health has acquired virtual orthopedics and musculoskeletal (MSK) management provider Livara Health, expanding its artificial intelligence-driven specialty care navigation platform into value-based MSK care delivery. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Switchboard plans to embed Livara’s MSK program within its automation platform for referral management and care navigation. The integration is intended to allow providers and health plans to identify and enroll eligible patients while connecting primary care referrals with virtual MSK services.
“The Livara care model, technology, and team members start an exciting new chapter in our work to transform specialty care,” said Derek Baird, Switchboard Health CEO and co-founder, in a statement. “Now a primary care provider, right within her EHR, can refer qualified patients to our Livara MSK providers for convenient, evidence-based care.”
Livara operates a virtual-first, value-based MSK model combining care planning, virtual care delivery and patient navigation. A 2024 review of the program found that participants reduced MSK spending by 43%, which executives attributed largely to lower surgical utilization.
“Our mission is to transform patients’ and providers’ experiences with MSK care, delivering convenient, effective, virtual support to patients,” said Rob Cohen, Livara Health CEO, in a statement. “We’re excited to see Switchboard integrate Livara Health into its referral and care navigation workflows to scale the delivery of high-value MSK care.”
Alongside the acquisition, Switchboard has secured $5 million through an oversubscribed funding round to support its expansion into care delivery and continued growth.
“We’re grateful to our new and current investors for funding our expansion into care delivery and the next phase of growth,” said Baird. “The number of patients coming through the Switchboard is up 500% over the past nine months. We see even faster growth ahead of us.”
The transaction represents Switchboard’s second acquisition in less than a year. In September, the company acquired Conduce Health, adding AI capabilities including predictive models focused on disease progression and urgent medical needs. The Livara acquisition further extends the platform from specialty care navigation into direct care delivery.
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