Indianapolis-based Marathon Health, a provider of advanced primary care for employers and labor organizations across the U.S., is expanding its network in metro Detroit.
With an existing health center in Novi, the network expansion includes a new location in Sterling Heights, along with a health center each in Pontiac and Taylor. The latter two centers are scheduled to open later this year.
The centers offer members “affordable access to primary care, mental health, and preventive services across southeast Michigan.”
The expansion comes as Michigan communities face increasing barriers to timely primary care driven by provider shortages and rising costs.
In practice, Marathon Health provides access to employers, labor unions, and the public sector to advanced primary care without the associated capital investment of traditional onsite clinics.
In 2014, based on the vision of their consultant Manquen Vance (a Gallagher company), early adopters of the employer health center concept included the cities of Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Hazel Park, and Oak Park.
The five cities formed a coalition under the Urban Cooperation Act with the idea of improving employee health care services while providing savings to the cities themselves.
The coalition, MiLife, located on public land in Madison Heights, was recently joined by Oakland County, UA Local 98, and UA Local 636.
The Detroit network health centers will include same or next-day access to primary care, mental health, chronic disease management, physical therapy, and more “with low out-of-pocket costs.” The network states it will expand over time, adding more health centers and new services.
With Marathon, plan sponsors pay a monthly fee to provide employees and their families with direct access to health centers as part of their benefits, alongside traditional health insurance.
The model emphasizes longer visits, preventive care, and integrated services to avoid unnecessary emergency department visits or specialist referrals. In a recent claims-based study, Marathon reports average annual savings of $1,100 per engaged member.
“We are excited to expand in the Detroit region and partner with local organizations to improve access to health care and wellness services,” says Chris Pricco, CEO of Marathon Health. “We’re especially grateful to our early Detroit-area partners — Oakland County, Local 98, Local 636, and MiLife — whose collaboration helped build momentum for this expansion.
“This growth highlights the increasing interest in health care models that deliver better outcomes at lower costs compared to traditional insurance-driven systems. It’s a win-win for everyone, especially as communities across the U.S. continue to face health care workforce shortages and rising costs.”
Marathon Health states it has provided advanced primary care to more than 3 million eligible members nationwide. Founded in 2001, Marathon’s footprint has expanded to more than 1,600 providers at 720 health centers in 41 states, with virtual care access available nationwide. The advanced primary care network includes more than 100 health centers nationwide.
“Oakland County is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our employees and their families, and access to high-quality, affordable health care is a critical part of that commitment,” says Dave Coulter, Oakland County Executive.
“Our partnership with Marathon Health helps bring primary care, mental health services, and preventive care closer and more accessible to our employees. We’re proud to be part of an innovative approach that prioritizes healthier communities while helping address the growing challenges in health care access across Southeast Michigan.”
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