Marathon Health and Lantern Partner to Streamline Specialty Care for Employers

In an effort to tackle the rising costs of specialty care, Dallas-based specialty care company Lantern and primary care provider Marathon Health have announced a strategic partnership. The collaboration is designed to simplify the process for employers to offer comprehensive healthcare solutions while enhancing patient outcomes. By integrating Lantern’s specialty care services with Marathon’s robust primary care offerings, the companies aim to create a seamless and efficient healthcare experience.

Marathon Health, known for its in-person and virtual primary care services, partners with employers and union plan sponsors to provide accessible healthcare options. Meanwhile, Lantern specializes in directing members of health plans and self-insured employers to top-performing local providers for various medical needs, including surgery, cancer treatment, and infusion care. Through this partnership, Marathon’s employer clients can now purchase Lantern’s specialty care benefit directly from Marathon, streamlining the contracting process and ensuring better integration between primary and specialty care.

Simplifying Healthcare Integration

The partnership is initially focused on orthopedic surgery, a significant cost driver for many employers. By identifying members in need of specialty care and referring them to Lantern, Marathon providers can help ensure that patients receive high-quality, cost-effective treatment. Once referred, Lantern Care Advocates reach out to the member, guiding them through specialist selection, care coordination, and recovery support.

Chris Pricco, CEO of Marathon Health, emphasized the importance of integrating primary and specialty care: “Primary care is the highest leverage point we have in healthcare. When you integrate it with specialty care, you not only reduce costs but also change the trajectory of someone’s health.” The partnership has already shown promising results during a pilot phase, where referrals from Marathon led to a 47% increase in completed or avoided surgeries and an average savings of 53% compared to network rates for necessary procedures.

One notable participant in the pilot program was the Colorado Employer Benefit Trust, which reported significant value from the partnership. The trust found that the integrated care model not only reduced costs but also improved patient satisfaction and health outcomes.

What Comes Next

The success of the pilot phase has paved the way for a broader rollout of the integrated care model. Both Marathon Health and Lantern are committed to expanding their partnership to cover more areas of specialty care, further benefiting employers and employees alike. As healthcare continues to evolve, this collaboration serves as a model for how primary and specialty care can work together to provide better, more affordable healthcare solutions.

The integration of these services not only addresses the financial burden on employers but also ensures that patients receive the right care at the right time, leading to improved health outcomes and overall well-being. As Pricco noted, “This partnership is about more than just cost savings; it’s about transforming the way we deliver healthcare.” With a focus on both efficiency and quality, Marathon Health and Lantern are setting a new standard for integrated healthcare solutions.