Fall 2025 Preliminary Conference Agenda
October 8–10

NAACOS conferences are the only events organized exclusively by ACOs.
Schedule: Wednesday (pre-conference workshops): 1:00–5:00 pm ET
Thursday (Main Meeting): 7:30 am–6:30 pm ET
Friday (Main Meeting): 7:30 am–3:00 pm ET

Plenary Presentations:

Thursday Keynote by Pippa Shulman

American Academy of Home Care Medicine,
DispatchHealth

Friday Plenary Panel

Health Care Investor Roundtable

Thursday, October 9

Time	Session	Location
7:00 am	Reg Opens Exhibits Open	Liberty and Independence Foyer
7:30 – 8:15 am	Business Partner Sponsored Breakfast – Arcadia From Strategy to Action: A Framework for Advancing ACO Performance Speakers : Luke Hansen, Arcadia and Tiara Swindell, Tandigm Success in value-based care (VBC) requires more than good intentions—it takes a clear strategy, actionable tools, and measurable outcomes. But many accountable care organizations (ACOs) face challenges turning high-level goals into practical, day-to-day improvements. This session introduces a practical framework built on proven drivers of success observed across dozens of leading ACOs and provider groups. The framework helps organizations at any stage of VBC maturity identify targeted opportunities to grow revenue, manage costs, and improve quality. We will walk through key drivers—such as designing better contracts, accurately capturing disease burden, optimizing networks, supporting physician performance, delivering whole-person care, and optimizing utilization—and offer approachable examples from real-world ACOs to illustrate impact. This session is designed to be approachable and relevant for organizations across the VBC adoption and maturity spectrum. It will focus on core strategies that any ACO can begin implementing, regardless of size, risk exposure, or infrastructure. Learning Objectives: Evaluate performance improvement opportunities across contracting, risk, network management, and care delivery Apply approachable tactics to improve outcomes, reduce total cost of care, and support sustainable growth in value-based arrangements Gain real-world insight from peers on navigating operational challenges and building provider engagement strategies using data-driven approaches.	Capital/Congress
7:30 – 8:15 am	Business Partner Sponsored Breakfast	Archives
7:30 – 8:15 am	Business Partner Sponsored Breakfast	Shaw/LeDroit
8:30 – 9:15 am	Opening Plenary CMS Speakers: Chris Klomp and Abe Sutton (invited)	Liberty Ballroom
9:15 – 9:30 am	Break Exhibits Open	Independence Ballroom
9:30 – 10:30 am	Plenary Excellence Awards Keynote Speaker: Pippa Shulman, American Academy of Home Care Medicine and DispatchHealth	Liberty Ballroom
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	Aligning Incentives: Designing Shared Savings and Compensation Models That Work Chair: Stephen Nuckolls, Coastal Carolina Quality Care The right shared savings model can unite an organization behind common goals—while the wrong one can create friction and erode performance. In this session, leaders from diverse ACO structures will share candid case studies on how they design and manage distribution formulas, quality incentives, and provider compensation. Gain practical strategies to align your team around both clinical excellence and financial success.	Capital/Congress
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	NAACOS Excellence Awards: Learn from Leaders in Value-based Care Chair: Alyssa Neumann, NAACOS Join this session to hear from the recipients of the second annual NAACOS Excellence Awards. The Excellence Awards recognize high performing organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to and accomplishments in value-based care. Panelists will share how they have demonstrated success across three domains: performance, including improved quality and reduced cost, innovative use of data and technology, and commitment to partnership and collaboration.	Archives
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	Triple Threat: Winning at Stars and Clinical Outcomes with High-Impact Quality Measures Chair: Tori Bratcher, Trinity Health Join this dynamic session to learn how leading organizations are aligning Medicare Advantage and ACO efforts to drive performance on triple-weighted quality measures—delivering measurable results in medication adherence, hypertension control, diabetes management, and more. Presenters will share real-world success stories, practical implementation strategies, and data-driven outcomes that highlight both the clinical and financial impact of targeted interventions. Discover the strategic investments that made it possible, the ROI they delivered, and the lessons learned in optimizing provider performance and improving population health. Learning Objectives Understand the impact of triple-weighted Medicare Advantage measures on overall quality and revenue performance. Identify practical, scalable strategies that have led to measurable improvements in key clinical areas such as medication adherence, blood pressure control, and diabetes management. Analyze the return on investment (ROI) achieved through aligned quality efforts across Medicare Advantage and ACO populations. Apply real-life lessons and tools to improve provider engagement, care team workflows, and population health outcomes.	Shaw/LeDroit
11:00 am – 12:30 pm	Navigating the Dementia Care Landscape: Insights from CMMI GUIDE for ACO Success Chair: Jennifer Houlihan, Wake Health The CMMI Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, launched in July 2024, offers a unique opportunity for ACOs to enhance dementia care, support caregivers, and drive value within the healthcare system. This session will provide a comprehensive look at the GUIDE program, drawing on experiences from both established and new participant tracks. We will delve into the critical aspects of program implementation, discussing key pain points encountered by participants and the valuable lessons learned in navigating this complex model. Furthermore, the presentation will illuminate how GUIDE programs can seamlessly interact with existing Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), demonstrating their alignment with broader cost-saving initiatives and robust risk capture strategies. Finally, we will explore forward-thinking approaches and experiences in scaling dementia care beyond traditional Medicare, considering the implications for commercial and managed care populations. Attendees will gain actionable insights to optimize their participation in GUIDE, foster collaborative partnerships, and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to: Analyze the CMMI GUIDE Model’s structure and differentiate between the established and new program tracks, identifying the unique considerations for each. Identify common operational challenges and key pain points in GUIDE program implementation, and articulate lessons learned from early adopters to mitigate these issues. Explain the synergistic relationship between GUIDE programs and ACOs, illustrating how integrated dementia care can contribute to overall cost savings, enhanced quality metrics, and improved risk capture within value-based care models. Discuss strategies and considerations for extending the principles and successes of the GUIDE program beyond traditional Medicare, exploring applicability and potential pathways for scaling dementia care in commercial and managed care environments	Chinatown
12:30 – 2:00 pm	Networking Lunch Exhibits Open	Independence Ballroom
2:00 – 3:30 pm	FWA, FWA, Go Away – And Don’t Come Back Another Day! Chair: Henish Bhansali, Medical Home Network Fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA) drain resources, erode trust, and make delivering high-value care even harder. While no single playbook eliminates the problem, there are proven tactics that can help detect it earlier, intervene more effectively, and reduce its impact. This panel brings together leaders who have navigated complex FWA challenges – balancing analytics, operations, and stakeholder engagement – to share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why. You’ll leave with actionable ideas, real-world lessons, and a ready-to-use letter template for outreach to suspected entities. Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Create analytic and actuarial methods that can signal potential FWA early. Describe operational approaches that may reduce ongoing FWA, including ways to engage suspected entities and referring providers. Recognize when and how to engage external stakeholders – CMS, MAC, DOJ/OIG – to improve policy, mitigate future FWA, and support enforcement. Walk away with a sample outreach letter to initiate engagement with suspected entities.	Capital/Congress
2:00 – 3:30 pm	Innovative or Advanced Payment Design Chair: Mark Gwynne, UNC	Archives
2:00 – 3:30 pm	Unlocking Value in Post-Acute Care: Strategies for Optimized Transitions and Outcomes Chair: Herbert Druilhet, Ochsner Health System As the healthcare landscape shifts toward value-based care, post-acute settings are no longer just a step down—they’re a strategic opportunity. This provocative session explores how forward-thinking providers are reimagining post-acute care as a driver of clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and financial performance. Attendees will gain an insider’s view into innovative models, data-driven strategies, and overlooked levers that can radically increase value across the continuum. Whether you’re a clinician, executive, or operator, this session will challenge assumptions, expose inefficiencies, and spark actionable ideas for immediate impact. Learning Objectives: Identify key metrics and performance indicators that define “value” in post-acute care under emerging payment models. Analyze the economic and clinical impact of optimized care transitions from hospital to post-acute settings. Explore real-world strategies for reducing readmissions, shortening length of stay, and improving patient outcomes in SNFs, LTACHs, HHAs, and IRFs. Evaluate innovative care models—including episodic models (TEAM, Bundled Payments), hospital-at-home, and preferred provider networks—that enhance post-acute value delivery. Formulate an action plan to align post-acute care strategies with broader organizational goals in quality, compliance, and financial performance.	Shaw/LeDroit
2:00 – 3:30 pm	TEAM Chair: Eloy Sena, Signify ACO	Chinatown
3:30 – 4:00 pm	BREAK Exhibits Open	Independence Ballroom
4:00 – 5:30 pm	Affinity Group Meetings These meetings offer ACO employees in similar professional roles an opportunity to discuss the challenges they face and share strategies for success. Only ACO employees may attend. They are not open to vendors. Operations and Executive Data and Analytics Clinical and Performance Improvement Compliance and Legal	Capital/Congress Archives Shaw/LeDroit Chinatown
5:30 – 6:30 pm	RECEPTION Exhibits Open	Independence Ballroom

Friday, October 10

Time	Session	Location
7:00 am	Reg Opens Exhibits Open	Liberty and Independence Foyer
7:30 – 8:15 am	Business Partner Sponsored Breakfast – MDinteractive Simplifying ACO Quality Reporting: How to Succeed with eCQMs, MIPS CQMs, and Medicare CQMs With proven experience supporting more than two dozen ACOs in successfully navigating quality reporting, MDinteractive understands the real-world challenges ACOs face — and how to overcome them. This practical guide will help ACOs transition seamlessly to eCQMs, MIPS CQMs, and Medicare CQMs reporting. We’ll cover strategies to streamline data integration across multiple practices, including those using different EHR systems, billing platforms, and even paper medical records. You’ll also learn how to manage data collection, aggregation, and deduplication to ensure accurate, efficient reporting. Additionally, we’ll explore how establishing FHIR connections can simplify data exchange and enhance reporting workflows. Attendees will leave with clear, actionable strategies for succeeding under the Alternative Payment Model Performance Pathway (APP) — all designed to reduce complexity and improve reporting outcomes.	Capital/Congress
7:30 – 8:15 am	Business Partner Sponsored Breakfast	Archives
7:30 – 8:15 am	Business Partner Sponsored Breakfast	Shaw/LeDroit
8:30 – 9:30 am	Plenary Investor Panel	Liberty Ballroom
9:30 – 9:45 am	Break	Independence Ballroom
9:45 – 11:15 am	The Dollars and Cents of Value Based Care Chair: Rebecca Adkins, Jefferson Health Learning Objectives Learn about ways to structure value-based business cases Understand finance cycles and basic concepts of value-based finance Understand what structures, teams, and skills you need to manage value-based finances Learn how different provider organizations manage value-based finances	Capital/Congress
9:45 – 11:15 am	Risky Business: Inside the Movement to Modify Risk Adjustment Chair: Katie Boyer, agilon health Risk adjustment is a critical element of risk-bearing models like MA, MSSP and ACO REACH to ensure benchmarks adequately capture patient complexity. However, the controversy over its role in increasing Medicare spending places VBC models in a precarious position. Skepticism and scrutiny are increasing across the federal policy landscape, prompting many to begin exploring alternative models. Learn from those leading the way on novel risk model development and hear multiple perspectives on how a new approach would impact risk-based VBC models. Learning Objectives Learn why policymakers believe a new model is needed. Become familiar with the leading proposals currently circulating in the industry. Engage in dialogue about the potential impacts of proposed novel risk adjustment models.	Archives
9:45 – 11:15 am	Geriatric EDs to Improve Outcomes Chair: TBD	Shaw/LeDroit
9:45 – 11:15 am	Revolutionizing Value Based Care: How Bold Implementers Are Harnessing Modern Tech for Transformative Results Chair: Anna Taylor, PSW Learning Objectives: Explore Tech-Driven Solutions: Learners will explore various technology-driven solutions, including FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) APIs for quality reporting, artificial intelligence (AI), large language models, and automation tools, that can streamline administrative processes and reduce the workload on clinicians. Evaluate the Effectiveness of Tech Solutions: Learners will assess the effectiveness of different tech-driven solutions in reducing administrative burden, including analyzing case studies and real-world examples of successful implementations. Implementing Tech Solutions in Healthcare Settings: Learners will gain practical knowledge on how to implement tech-driven solutions in healthcare settings, including understanding the challenges and best practices for successful adoption.	Chinatown
11:15 – 11:30 am	Break Exhibits Open	Independence Ballroom
11:30 am – 1:00 pm	MA Chair: Sean Cavanaugh, Aledade	Capital/Congress
11:30 am – 1:00 pm	Strategies from the NAACOS Specialty Care Guidebook: Optimizing Specialty Care in Accountable Care Chair: Diwen Chen, NAACOS As value-based care (VBC) models expand across clinical conditions, integrating specialty care in VBC models remains a critical component of success in accountable care. This session introduces the NAACOS Specialty Care Guidebook that serves as a “how-to” guide to unlocking the full potential of specialty care alignment. Participants will gain insights into key strategies for identifying high-value specialists through data, engaging providers around delivery transformation, and understanding clinical pathway standards across various specialty care VBC models. Using real-world applications, presenters will share their best practices to drive cost-effective, timely, and high-quality specialty integration. Learning Objectives: Discuss the role of VBC models in specialty care engagement and identify best practices in adoption and implementation Discuss common challenges to specialty care engagement and opportunities for care delivery innovations in specialty care Understand effective provider engagement strategies including leveraging performance scorecards and analyzing referral strategies	Archives
11:30 am – 1:00 pm	A Discussion in the Keys to Leading a Large Multi-TIN Network Chair: Grayling Yarbrough Learning Objectives A few keys for leaders seeking to bring alignment in a large multi-TIN Network amongst your board and physician leadership. Key strategies for operational alignment for large multi-TIN networks. A few lessons learned for creating alignment between independent and employed physicians within ACO and CIN agreements.	Shaw/LeDroit
11:30 am – 1:00 pm	Late Breaking Policy Update Chair: NAACOS Policy and Advocacy Team	Chinatown
1:00 – 2:30 pm	Lunch Closing Plenary	Liberty Ballroom

Fall 2025 Preliminary Conference AgendaOctober 8–10