Why integrations create a better member experience: Hinge Health and Lantern

Navigating healthcare can feel like a maze sometimes, especially for someone dealing with muscle and joint pain or facing potential surgery.

To address this, Hinge Health partners with Lantern, a specialty care platform that connects people with the best options for surgery, cancer, and infusions. Together, we offer benefits that improve health outcomes and drive cost savings for employers.

The Importance of Partnership

At the heart of our partnership with Lantern is a shared vision of enhancing members' health and wellness through integrated care solutions. We’re both big believers in trying conservative treatments first whenever possible.

This highlights the shared philosophy of focusing on the right care, not just the most complex. Hinge Health provides care for acute and chronic conditions through a robust service model that supports members in managing and treating their pain-related issues. When surgery is necessary, members have access to the very best providers through Lantern’s Network of Excellence.

“Our Care Advocates guide members to excellent specialists who we’ve rigorously vetted to ensure that they can deliver amazing outcomes,” says Jason Tibbels, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Lantern. “We spend a ton of time vetting specialists, and that’s one of the primary reasons we’re able to achieve complication rates significantly below national averages.”

 A bi-directional referral system between these two solutions ensures a seamless transition for members, directing them to the right care at the right time. For example, Hinge Health refers members to Lantern when their surgical likelihood is more than 50%. And Lantern refers members to Hinge Health when they need pre-surgery or post-surgery care, if they’re not clinically fit for surgery and could benefit from a more conservative care option.

Integrations That Matter

Seamless Data Sharing

An essential component of our partnership is the ability to share data efficiently, which is crucial for proactive care coordination. Our closed-loop reporting system involves sharing member-level data between the two platforms. This data allows Lantern to identify members at high risk for surgery and provides feedback to Hinge Health for targeted outreach and personalized care plans.

Member Experience

Members can access the benefits of Hinge Health and Lantern through enrollment landing pages, mailers, and emails. Lantern’s Care Advocates and Hinge Health’s care team also refer members to each other. This ease of access leads to a seamless journey where members are directed to appropriate care solutions, ultimately enhancing their overall experience and engagement. Alone, each benefit provides better access, personalized care, cost savings, and improved clinical outcomes. Combined, these benefits are amplified, ensuring that members consistently receive high-quality and timely care.

How Does the Hinge Health + Lantern Partnership Benefit Members?

Integrating Hinge Health and Lantern services stands to significantly improve the member experience by providing:

• Better Access: Thanks to our connected referral system, the right members are guided to the right program after a referral.

• Personalized Care: Training ensures care teams can guide members to the right benefit at the right time.

• Cost Savings: By guiding members to high-quality, low-cost surgery when necessary, or helping members avoid surgery, we can help save on healthcare costs.

Members also report simply having a more positive experience through Lantern and Hinge Health, compared with getting surgery through traditional insurance or completing PT in an office.

“These programs have been incredible. I tell everyone about them because they’re convenient, cost effective, and truly help with recovery,” Hinge and Lantern member Sandra shared. “With these benefits, I’ve saved thousands of dollars and received excellent care.”

Conclusion

Both Hinge Health and Lantern demonstrate improved ROI by guiding members toward appropriate care, whether it be conservative management or surgical intervention.

Overall, the partnership between Hinge Health and Lantern is an impactful example of how integrated care solutions can enhance the member experience, deliver superior health outcomes, and drive cost efficiencies. “This collaboration is not just a strategic alliance but a commitment to reshaping healthcare delivery for a better member experience and better clinical outcomes,” says Claire Morrow, DPT, PT Consultant Senior Manager at Hinge Health.