Lantern, Marathon Health Team Up To Launch Integrated Care Management Model

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The model combines Marathon Health’s advanced primary care network with Lantern’s specialty care platform, enabling a more coordinated pathway for patients requiring higher levels of care.

Lantern and Marathon Health have announced a partnership to roll out an integrated care management model that connects primary care with specialty care services, targeting employers facing rising healthcare costs and fragmented patient journeys.

The model combines Marathon Health’s advanced primary care network with Lantern’s specialty care platform, enabling a more coordinated pathway for patients requiring higher levels of care. Employers using Marathon Health services will be able to access Lantern’s specialty network through a simplified procurement process, reducing operational complexity for benefits administrators.

The partnership builds on a pilot program focused on orthopedic care, where both companies reported measurable improvements in referral efficiency and cost outcomes. According to the companies, referrals from Marathon Health to Lantern increased between 37% and 100% during the pilot phase. In addition, referrals contributed to a 47% rise in either completed or averted surgical procedures, indicating improved care alignment and decision-making.

Cost impact was also a key outcome. Employers participating in the pilot recorded an average of 53% savings compared to standard network rates for necessary procedures, according to the announcement shared with Fierce Healthcare.

Lantern CEO John Zutter said the company’s specialty care network, which serves around 12 million members, enables it to support both quality and cost optimization at scale. He noted that tighter integration with primary care providers enhances both utilization and patient experience.

Marathon Health CEO Chris Pricco said the collaboration is built around a shared objective of ensuring patients receive care in the most appropriate setting. He added that aligning primary care “front doors” with specialty navigation improves both clinical decision-making and employer outcomes.

The integrated model is designed to position primary care clinics operated by Marathon Health as the entry point for patients, with streamlined referrals into Lantern’s specialty network when required. The initial rollout will focus on musculoskeletal care, an area identified as a major cost driver for employer-sponsored healthcare plans.

The companies said the expanded offering will be made available to employer clients later this year, with a continued focus on improving care coordination and reducing unnecessary surgical interventions.

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