Emplify Health by Gundersen signs partnership with Remission Medical to offer virtual rheumatology care

Emplify Health by Gundersen signs partnership with Remission Medical to offer virtual rheumatology care

Serving patients in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, Emplify Health by Gundersenoperates seven hospitals and 65 clinics and is a leader in care quality and experience, healthcare innovation, and continuous improvement for the best outcomes.

Starting in the fall and building upon this organization focus, Emplify Health by Gundersen will offer virtual rheumatology appointments with partner Remission Medical, decreasing wait times and enhancing experience for patients and care givers. Edge, Emplify Health's innovation investment team, is helping power the Remission Medical partnership. This partnership enables Emplify Health by Gundersen to address care gaps promptly, ensuring patients continue to have access even when demand surpasses capacity. A key benefit is the flexibility the partnership provides, allowing Emplify Health by Gundersen to adjust support levels up or down based on our needs.

Remission Medical is the largest national virtual rheumatology clinic in the United States. Powered by video visits, experienced board-certified rheumatology clinicians, and a technology platform focused on escalation avoidance, Remission Medical offers diagnosis and longitudinal care to partners and their patients.

"Through our partnership with Remission Medical, Emplify Health by Gundersen is revolutionizing rheumatology care," says Kelley Bahr, MD, medical vice president, Ambulatory Services, Emplify Health by Gundersen. "Virtual appointments will decrease wait times, allowing our clinicians to provide timely, high-quality care. This collaboration enhances the experience for both patients and care team members, ultimately improving overall health outcomes and quality of life."

Rheumatic diseases are autoimmune, inflammatory and degenerative diseases that affect joints, muscles, bones and organs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), one in four adults have a rheumatic condition, especially arthritis, which is characterized by joint pain and stiffness. Rheumatic disease can impinge quality of life and can be challenging to diagnose given there are some 150 disease varieties.

"Emplify Health by Gundersen is an innovative force in how they view the application of virtual care," said Blake Wehman, CEO and founder of Remission Medical. "As a rheumatoid arthritis patient myself, we built our clinic with the goal of finding partners who share the same passion in expanding access to rheumatology care. Emplify Health by Gundersen is leading the charge for patients needing rheumatic care."