Protera Health, SSM Health Partner on Hybrid MSK Care for Employers

TROY, Mich, and ST. LOUIS – March 03, 2026 – In a strategic move to combat rising healthcare costs and workforce productivity losses, digital musculoskeletal (MSK) care provider Protera Health has announced a partnership with SSM Health at Work, the employer solutions division of SSM Health. The collaboration will provide employers with an integrated care model that combines Protera Health's physician-led digital platform with streamlined access to SSM Health's extensive network of in-person specialty services.

This partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive solution to one of the most persistent and expensive problems facing modern businesses: musculoskeletal conditions. By merging the convenience of virtual care with the clinical rigor of a major health system, the initiative promises to improve employee access to treatment, enhance health outcomes, and provide employers with greater cost control.

The High Cost of Workplace Aches and Pains

Musculoskeletal conditions, encompassing everything from chronic back pain to carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis, represent a staggering burden on the U.S. economy and its workforce. These disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide and consistently rank among the top drivers of healthcare spending, costing the U.S. system over $380 billion annually. For employers, the financial impact extends far beyond direct medical claims.

MSK issues are a primary cause of lost workdays, with data showing they account for nearly a third of all injuries and illnesses that require time away from the job. The costs are compounded by "presenteeism," a phenomenon where employees are physically at work but operate at reduced capacity due to pain and discomfort. Studies indicate that productivity can drop by as much as 15% for an employee suffering from an MSK disorder, a loss that quietly erodes a company's bottom line. The partnership between Protera Health and SSM Health at Work is designed to address this multifaceted problem head-on by intervening earlier and more effectively.

"Employers want better access, better outcomes, and better cost control—and they want partners who can deliver all three," said James Meacham, Vice President Direct to Employer and Affiliated Partnerships at SSM Health at Work. "By partnering with Protera Health, we can offer our employer clients an MSK solution that's clinically robust, easy for employees to use, and aligned with the high-quality care delivery SSM Health is known for."

A Hybrid Solution for a Fragmented System

The new program offers employees a single, cohesive pathway for MSK care. It begins with Protera Health's digital-first approach, where an employee can access a multidisciplinary care team that includes physicians, physical therapists, and care navigators through a web-based portal. This virtual model is designed to provide rapid access to evaluation and personalized treatment plans, bypassing the long wait times often associated with traditional specialist appointments.

Crucially, the partnership solves a common pitfall of many digital health solutions: fragmentation. While virtual care offers convenience, complex cases often require in-person diagnostics, procedures, or hands-on therapy. This collaboration creates a seamless bridge between the digital and physical worlds. When a patient's condition warrants it, Protera Health's clinical team can coordinate a referral directly into SSM Health's network of specialists, ensuring continuity of care without the patient having to navigate the system alone.

"Protera Health was built to solve a core problem in MSK care: fragmented treatment that leads to avoidable costs of care," stated Dr. Eric Makhni, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Protera Health. "Partnering with SSM Health at Work allows us to deliver an end-to-end MSK care experience that improves access and outcomes while delivering on cost control—and a clear pathway into SSM Health for in-person specialty care when appropriate."

Raising the Bar for Digital Therapeutics

In a crowded digital health market, Protera Health's model stands out for its emphasis on clinical depth. The program is explicitly "physician-led," which means that medical doctors oversee the care plans, enabling them to order imaging, prescribe non-narcotic medications, and make complex clinical judgments that often fall outside the scope of physical therapist- or coach-led programs. This level of oversight is critical for managing both simple and complex MSK conditions effectively.

The company's technological infrastructure further enhances its clinical capabilities. Protera Health has integrated its platform with Epic, one of the most widely used electronic medical record (EMR) systems, via EpicCare Link. This integration allows its clinicians to view a patient's full medical history and enables seamless communication with the patient's other providers, creating a truly connected care experience. Treatment is guided by Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), which track progress on pain, function, and mental health to ensure care plans are dynamic and effective.

"SSM Health at Work is focused on meeting employers where they are—with solutions that improve the health of their employees and the performance of their organizations," said Deanna Hahn, Director of Operations at SSM Health at Work. "This partnership strengthens our ability to proactively address MSK issues early, guide employees to the right care at the right time and coordinate seamlessly with in-person services when needed."

Driving Value for Employers and Employees

The ultimate goal of this integrated model is to generate a clear return on investment for employers by improving workforce health. By providing immediate access to evidence-based care, the program aims to prevent acute issues from becoming chronic and costly. Early and appropriate intervention has been shown to significantly reduce the need for expensive downstream services, including emergency room visits, advanced imaging, and invasive surgeries. Some reports suggest physician-led digital programs can reduce unnecessary procedures and generate savings of thousands of dollars per participating member.

For employees, the benefits are more personal. They gain faster, more convenient access to expert care that fits their schedules, reducing the stress and logistical challenges of seeking treatment. The personalized support from a dedicated care team can improve adherence to treatment plans, leading to better and faster recoveries. This holistic approach not only alleviates physical pain but also supports overall well-being, allowing employees to return to full productivity and enjoy a higher quality of life both in and out of the workplace. This type of strategic partnership represents a significant step forward in how employer-sponsored healthcare is designed and delivered.