Protera Health Expands Partnership with Emplify Health Following Strong Clinical Outcomes in Virtual Musculoskeletal Program

Proven Impact Across Pain, Function, and Mental Health Outcomes Fuels Growth from Bellin Health to Gundersen Health Self-Insured Employees

DETROIT, Sept. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Protera Health, a leading provider of virtual, physician-led musculoskeletal (MSK) care, announced today the expansion of its successful partnership with Bellin Health to now include the Gundersen Region of Emplify Health. This follows Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System's merger and subsequent rebranding to Emplify Health. The expanded relationship enables Protera Health to bring its physician-led, multidisciplinary virtual MSK care model to the broader Emplify Health employee population.

This announcement builds on the strong foundation established in April 2024, when Bellin Health first partnered with Protera Health to offer virtual MSK care to qualified health system employees. Since launching the program, Protera Health has demonstrated meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcome measures and other target metrics, including:

• Significant reductions in pain and functional impairment
• Improvements in mental health measures
• High levels of employee engagement and satisfaction

These results contributed to Emplify Health's decision to extend Protera Health's services across its newly combined organization, including employees from Emplify Health by Gundersen, further aligning with its commitment to employee well-being, cost-effective care, and population health innovation.

"At Emplify Health, our vision statement begins with 'leading with love," and it's something we focus on every day for our patients and teams," said Emplify Health Director of Benefits Lynne Nelson. "Our partnership with Protera Health helps us live that vision, making important investments in health and productivity that are providing a highly engaging care experience while improving clinical outcomes."

Protera Health's robust clinical model, pairing physician-led, multidisciplinary digital care with direct connection to in-person services when necessary, provides end-to-end care for value-based healthcare organizations, such as Emplify Health. 

"We are honored to deepen our relationship with Emplify Health," said Dr. Eric Makhni, CEO of Protera Health and one of the leading value-based orthopedic surgeons in the country. "This expansion reflects the strength of our outcomes and shared vision to deliver better health through accessible, integrated digital care."

About Protera Health
Protera Health helps health plans, employers, and value-based organizations reduce musculoskeletal (MSK) care costs through a physician-led, multidisciplinary digital solution. Our program stands out for its robust clinical model, individualized treatment driven by Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), and in-network delivery (no PMPM or administrative fees). For integrated delivery networks and health systems, Protera Health leverages existing clinical services for in-person treatment, when appropriate.  To learn, go to www.proterahealth.com/start.

About Emplify Health  
Emplify Health is a not-for-profit, patient-centered, community-focused healthcare network with headquarters in Green Bay and La Crosse, Wisconsin. Formed by a merger between Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System, Emplify Health has 16,000 employees, including more than 1,400 clinicians, in 11 hospitals and more than 100 clinic locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Upper Michigan, and Iowa. With community partners, Emplify Health strives to lead (with love) local, regional and national healthcare transformation to inspire people's best lives at every stage. Learn what we are becoming at emplifyhealth.org. 

Media Contact:
Protera Health
[email protected]
www.proterahealth.com

SOURCE Protera Health