Intelligence
Reverse-chronological coverage of deals, platform launches, benefit design shifts, and the operating mechanics behind direct contracting.
North Carolina's self-insured State Health Plan signed a multiyear contract bringing all remaining Atrium Health hospitals and physicians into its Access tier for 2027. The plan covers nearly 750,000 people, but deal-specific utilization, rates and realized savings are not disclosed.
Read the analysisCovenant HealthCare has joined Nomi Health's Michigan direct-contracting network, offering participating employers access to 20-plus facilities and more than 600 physicians with a stated $0 member out-of-pocket design. Employer uptake, negotiated rates and realized savings are undisclosed.
Read the analysisCost Plus Wellness contract C082 adds a Cost Plus Drugs employer pharmacy program with configurable drug lists, existing-card routing and transparent reimbursement terms. The published template does not establish employer adoption or realized savings.
Read the analysisAndel's new collaboration with Novo adds Wegovy injection and oral options to an employer-funded, manufacturer-direct medication marketplace. Employers choose their contribution; client adoption, negotiated prices and realized savings are not disclosed.
Read the analysisDarioHealth says an unnamed regional grocery retailer with more than 19,000 employees expanded its existing employer health contract to include Dario Women beginning January 2027. Eligible enrollment, contract pricing and realized savings were not disclosed.
Read the analysisColorado Employer Benefit Trust participated in a Marathon Health–Lantern specialty-care referral pilot. The partners report 53% average savings against network rates for necessary procedures, but do not disclose the pilot's enrollment or independently verified economics.
Read the analysisTranscarent's October 13 partnership with OrthoForum Value Network connects its employer-facing surgery program with more than 160 independent orthopedic groups across 47 states. Employer uptake, bundled prices and partnership-specific savings are not disclosed.
Read the analysisSALTA Direct Primary Care and Ameriflex report five-year employer results from an HRA-funded DPC arrangement, including $13.84 million in savings. The release does not identify employers, enrollment, or the study methodology.
Read the analysisPriority Health will offer Primary Care Connect, an optional direct-primary-care buy-up for self-funded employer groups through Aligned Marketplace, starting January 1, 2027.
Read the analysisWellGuard Assurance is offering Kansas City-area small employers access to Centrus Health Direct's negotiated-rate provider network, pairing a captive health plan with a local direct-provider channel.
Read the analysisFour Cost Plus Wellness contracts published October 6–16 span Wisconsin bundled surgery, dental services, and direct primary care in California and Illinois. The contracts are public offers, not proof of employer utilization or savings.
Read the analysisAngle Health will embed Transcarent's surgical and musculoskeletal Centers of Excellence into its small-employer benefits platform beginning January 1, 2027, with bundled episode pricing and coordinated navigation.
Read the analysisUnited Independent School District has partnered with Gateway Community Health Center to expand healthcare access for roughly 4,000 employees through nine Laredo-area clinics and planned mobile clinics at district campuses.
Read the analysisCost Plus Wellness added six direct contracts dated September 30 and October 1, expanding its public contracting model into surgery centers, primary care, women's health, physical therapy, virtual care and subscription medicine.
Read the analysisThe direct contracting market still runs on scattered announcements and case studies. Here are the public deals and platforms that actually matter right now.
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