New partnership aims to lower employer costs, guide members to top-performing care

Health

Jul 21

Written By Staff

Priority Health, a health plan serving more than 1.4 million members, has partnered with Garner Health to address rising costs and the difficulty employers and members face in finding highly rated, cost-efficient care.

Using Garner’s industry-leading healthcare insights, the partnership aims to make it easier for members to find top-performing, in-network doctors in their area based on health outcomes including fewer complications, avoidable ER visits and readmissions. The program is also designed to help cover out-of-pocket costs for members who choose these providers and help employers lower healthcare costs while delivering a seamless member experience.

“As healthcare costs continue to rise, employers are looking for ways to save without shifting more costs to employees or changing their benefit plans,” said Chase Osbourne, senior vice president of employer solutions and innovation at Priority Health. “Our partnership with Garner brings together data-driven provider quality rankings and innovative incentives, so members can confidently access highly rated care, receive out-of-pocket reimbursement and employers can achieve measurable savings.”

The partnership is designed for self-funded and fully funded employer groups, offering a solution that integrates existing plans and provider networks. The program will be available to eligible groups starting August 1, 2026.

“This partnership puts Garner's provider quality data to work for Priority Health's members at scale," said Kirk Czonstka, senior vice president of strategic alliances at Garner. "When we steer members to top providers in their existing network, employers see measurable results on average, a 12% net reduction in healthcare spend in the first year, without shifting costs to employees or changing their benefit plans.”

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