As healthcare continues to shift beyond the hospital, ambulatory care is rapidly becoming the fastest-growing segment in the U.S.
Ambulatory providers have a significant opportunity to engage in direct-to-employer bundled payment programs as a proven growth strategy—connecting with employer-driven demand while participating in innovative care models. The OrthoForum Value Network (OVN) recognized this opportunity and acted on it, partnering with Tendo to list services directly in the Care Connect marketplace.
That’s where strong partnerships—and the right technology—matter.
Expanding Access Through Strategic Partnership
Tendo is proud to partner nationally with the OrthoForum Value Network (OVN)—a leading organization helping orthopedic practices succeed in value-based care.
Through Tendo Care Connect, OVN is equipping its network with the infrastructure needed to expand participation in direct-to-employer (D2E) programs—unlocking new growth opportunities while simplifying the complexity that often comes with bundled payments and contracting.
Today, Tendo is live or actively implementing Care Connect across 75+ OVN sites nationwide, helping practices accelerate adoption and deliver high-quality, coordinated care.
Enabling D2E Success with Care Connect
Care Connect serves as the backbone of OVN’s D2E strategy—connecting employers, providers, and care teams in a seamless experience.
Care Connect puts providers in the driver’s seat—giving them direct control over how they package and price their services, then listing those offerings in an easy-to-use, shoppable marketplace that connects them with employer demand in their communities. From identifying contracting opportunities to coordinating care delivery across the bundle, the platform reduces administrative burden and makes it straightforward for physicians to participate in value-based models without disrupting their workflows.
“Tendo is a trusted growth and technology partner that simplifies bundled payments and direct contracting—connecting providers to employer demand, coordinating the bundle across all stakeholders, and making participation seamless for physicians.”
– Heath Kirschner, CEO, OVN
By removing operational friction, OVN practices can focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional patient outcomes while growing their ambulatory footprint.
Industry Leadership Perspective
Leaders across the orthopedic space are recognizing the importance of data, coordination, and streamlined participation models.
“One thing orthopedics should borrow more intentionally from other industries is a customer service mindset, particularly from sectors like hospitality, aviation, and retail.
In those industries, the experience is designed end‑to‑end around the customer, not just the core technical product. In healthcare, we often focus (appropriately) on clinical excellence, but patients experience our care through scheduling, communication, transparency, follow‑up, and how respected they feel at every touchpoint. Simple practices such as proactive communication, setting clear expectations, rapid service recovery when things go wrong, and accountability for the entire experience—not just the clinical encounter—can meaningfully improve patient trust and outcomes.
Orthopedics has an opportunity to combine world‑class clinical care with world‑class service, and doing so would differentiate practices in a way that truly matters to patients.”
– Leo Spector, MD, MBA — CEO, OrthoCarolina | Spine Surgeon, OC Spine Center
Spotlight: OSMS Leading the Way
One example of this momentum is OSMS (Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists), an OVN member leveraging Care Connect to expand its presence in value-based care. OSMS has already listed more than 120 procedures across 12 participating physicians—a number that continues to grow.
This rapid expansion reflects both the demand for ambulatory solutions and the impact of having the right technology foundation in place.
“Participating in direct-to-employer programs through Care Connect has opened up a real revenue growth opportunity for OSMS that we hadn’t fully tapped before. With over 120 procedures listed, we’re seeing firsthand how bundled payments can drive meaningful volume—and we’re just getting started. This is the kind of financial model that positions us for long-term growth in the ambulatory space.”
— Cheri Hendricks, Healthcare Financial Analyst, OSMS
Building the Future of Ambulatory Care—Together
As ambulatory care continues its rapid growth, OVN’s partnership with Tendo—and its adoption of Care Connect—is helping providers stay ahead.
By making it easier to participate in innovative payment models, connect with employer demand, and coordinate bundled care across stakeholders, Care Connect is enabling a scalable path forward for specialty care.
With continued expansion across OVN’s national network, this collaboration represents more than momentum—it’s a blueprint for the future of orthopedic care delivery.
Learn more about how we’re driving better healthcare experiences through connected care solutions.
