Protera Health Partners with SSM Health at Work to Expand Digital Musculoskeletal Care

Partnership aims to improve employee access, reduce costs, and boost productivity for employer clients

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:34pm

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Protera Health, a physician-led musculoskeletal (MSK) care company, has announced a new partnership with SSM Health at Work, the employer solutions division of SSM Health, to expand access to high-quality digital MSK care for SSM Health at Work's employer partners. The partnership will help employers improve employee access to care, reduce avoidable costs, and support healthier, more productive workforces, while enabling streamlined coordination with SSM Health for in-person specialty care when clinically appropriate.

Why it matters

Musculoskeletal conditions are among the most common and costly drivers of healthcare utilization and lost productivity for employers. This partnership aims to address these challenges by providing employers with an integrated digital MSK care solution that improves access, outcomes, and cost control.

The details

Through the partnership, eligible employees will have access to Protera Health's comprehensive digital MSK program, which integrates digital care delivery with a coordinated pathway to high-quality in-person services through SSM Health when needed. The program includes physician-led oversight and a multidisciplinary care model that can include physical therapy, care navigation, and personalized support, all focused on improving function, reducing pain, and restoring activity safely and efficiently.

  • The partnership was announced on March 3, 2026.

The players

Protera Health

A physician-led, multidisciplinary musculoskeletal (MSK) care company.

SSM Health at Work

The employer solutions division of SSM Health, focused on lowering healthcare costs and improving workforce health, safety, and performance.

James Meacham

Vice President Direct to Employer and Affiliated Partnerships at SSM Health at Work.

Deanna Hahn

Director of Operations at SSM Health at Work.

Dr. Eric Makhni

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Protera Health.

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What they’re saying

“Employers want better access, better outcomes, and better cost control—and they want partners who can deliver all three. 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.”

— James Meacham, Vice President Direct to Employer and Affiliated Partnerships, SSM Health at Work

“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. 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.”

— Deanna Hahn, Director of Operations, SSM Health at Work

“Protera Health was built to solve a core problem in MSK care: fragmented treatment that leads to avoidable costs of care. 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.”

— Dr. Eric Makhni, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Protera Health

What’s next

The partnership between Protera Health and SSM Health at Work is expected to expand access to digital musculoskeletal care for SSM Health at Work's employer partners in the coming months.

The takeaway

This partnership demonstrates how innovative digital health solutions can be integrated with traditional healthcare providers to deliver a comprehensive, coordinated approach to musculoskeletal care that improves access, outcomes, and cost control for employers and their employees.