Marathon Health and Lantern Partner to Integrate Primary and Specialty Care for Employers

Marathon Health and Lantern have announced a partnership aimed at helping employers and labor organizations address specialty care spending by linking primary care services with specialty care navigation and treatment support.

The collaboration combines Marathon Health’s advanced primary care model with Lantern’s specialty care platform. The companies said the integrated approach is intended to connect primary and specialty care, improve care coordination, and help employers manage healthcare costs. Under the arrangement, Marathon clients that do not currently offer Lantern’s specialty care benefit will be able to purchase the service directly through Marathon.

The partnership builds on an early adopter pilot focused on orthopedic and other surgical procedures. According to the companies, the pilot showed measurable improvements in engagement and care adherence. Participants experienced a 37% to 100% increase in referrals to Lantern through Marathon providers. The companies also reported that referrals originating from Marathon resulted in a 47% increase in surgeries that were either completed or avoided following specialist evaluation.

Employers participating in the pilot recorded average savings of 53% compared with network rates for necessary procedures, according to the companies. They said the savings were associated with completed or avoided surgeries and improved navigation to specialty care.

Chris Pricco, chief executive officer of Marathon Health, said the two organizations share a similar approach to healthcare delivery. “Lantern and Marathon have very common philosophies around getting patients to the right care at the right kind of service setting,” Pricco said.

The companies said the partnership is intended to establish primary care as the entry point for specialty care services. Marathon operates employer-sponsored onsite clinics, which can identify patients requiring specialty treatment and connect them to Lantern’s network. Marathon providers initiate referrals through established clinical workflows, after which Lantern Care Advocates assist members with specialist selection, care coordination, and recovery support. Clinical information is then shared back with Marathon providers to support ongoing care and post-surgical follow-up.

Lantern CEO John Zutter said the company manages specialty care for approximately 12 million members nationwide and has developed a network of providers. He said the pilot demonstrated that stronger integration between primary and specialty care could provide a more seamless experience for employers and members.

The pilot also included the Colorado Employer Benefit Trust (CEBT). Joe Deba, director with CEBT’s trust administrator, said the program showed how stronger coordination among existing healthcare benefit partners could help members access appropriate care, improve adherence, and generate measurable value.

The companies noted that primary care providers and centers of excellence often operate separately, creating fragmented experiences for patients. The new model seeks to create continuity throughout the patient journey by connecting primary care, specialty referrals, care coordination, and recovery support through a coordinated process.

Initially, Marathon and Lantern are focusing on orthopedic and musculoskeletal care, which they identified as one of the largest cost drivers for employers. The integrated solution is scheduled to be available to shared Marathon and Lantern customers this year, while Marathon clients will also have the option to contract for Lantern’s services directly through Marathon.

Marathon Health has announced a strategic partnership with Lantern aimed at creating a more integrated healthcare experience for employers and their workforce. The collaboration brings together primary care and specialty care services, enabling Marathon Health to strengthen care coordination and improve healthcare accessibility for employees.

Marathon Health Expands Care Coordination Efforts

Through this partnership, Marathon Health is working to simplify how employees navigate the healthcare system. By connecting patients with high-quality specialty care resources through Lantern’s network, Marathon Health can help ensure individuals receive appropriate treatment while reducing unnecessary delays and complexity.