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Emplify Health and Pearl Health Join Forces

In a significant move towards improving healthcare delivery, Emplify Health has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Pearl Health, a leader in health technology. This collaboration aims to enhance accountable care for older adults across the Upper Midwest, with an emphasis on community-based health solutions.

Partnership Overview

Emplify Health is a not-for-profit healthcare system formed by the merging of Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System. This partnership with Pearl Health marks a step forward in their mission to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare to older adults. Starting in 2027, the two organizations plan to improve care for approximately 25,000 Medicare beneficiaries within their extensive network, which includes 11 hospitals and over 100 clinics across Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Goals of the Collaboration

The primary goal of this partnership is to help seniors maintain their health and independence in the communities they reside in. By leveraging Pearl Health’s advanced technology, the collaboration aims to monitor patients' health conditions effectively, ensuring timely interventions and reducing hospital admissions which can disrupt lives, especially for those in rural areas where healthcare resources are limited.

Technology Integration

Pearl Health offers a robust infrastructure that focuses on accountable care modeling. This includes managing financial risks and optimizing performance based on Medicare standards. Their proven methodology has already delivered substantial results: in 2026 alone, Pearl Health aided over 10,000 providers across more than 40 states, managing approximately $3.6 billion in medical expenses. They predict a gross savings of $500 million by the end of 2026, demonstrating their efficiency and the potential impact of the partnership with Emplify Health.

Patient-Centric Benefits

Patients of Emplify Health will not experience any disruptions to their current physicians or Medicare benefits due to this partnership. Instead, they will benefit from enhanced care through data insights provided by Pearl Health. With predictive analytics, healthcare teams can identify patients at higher risk earlier and personalize care accordingly. This proactive approach allows for better health management and ultimately aims to improve health outcomes.

Track Record of Excellence

Emplify Health already has a commendable reputation, with the Bellin Health Partners accountable care organization ranking second nationally for quality and patient experience in 2022. This established success sets a solid foundation for the effectiveness of the Pearl Health partnership as they aim for ongoing high performance and improved population health.

Leadership Perspectives

Scott Rathgaber, MD, CEO of Emplify Health, expressed his commitment to enhancing healthcare access and outcomes: "Our purpose is to increase access, amplify empathy, and improve population health outcomes across every community we serve. Partnering with Pearl advances all three of those objectives."

Michael Kopko, Co-Founder and CEO of Pearl Health, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the trust and reliability that Emplify Health has built within the community: “They've built one of the strongest accountable care programs in the Midwest. Our role is to provide clarity to their care teams, helping them identify patients needing attention and opportunities for quality improvements.”

Next Steps

The two organizations will initiate the onboarding process for Emplify Health practices in the fall of 2026, setting the stage for an operational launch on January 1, 2027. This collaboration is designed not just as a short-term endeavor but as a sustainable strategy to enhance healthcare delivery in the Upper Midwest.

With a combined vision for community-focused healthcare and innovative technology, the partnership between Emplify Health and Pearl Health is poised to set new standards in accountable care for older adults, ensuring they receive the best possible support in maintaining their health and quality of life.