Fall 2024 Conference Agenda
October 16–18

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–6:00 pm ET
Friday (Main Meeting): 7:30 am–2:30 pm ET

Thursday, October 17
TimeSessionRoom
7:00 amRegistration OpensIndependence Foyer
7:30 – 8:15 amBreakfast Sponsored by Innovaccer
Adapting to the Fast-Paced Evolution in Healthcare: Key Strategies for ACO Leaders
Speakers: Donna Antenucci, Christiana Care; James Barr, Atlantic Health; Craig Carroll, Ascension; Brian Silverstein, Innovaccer

Join us for an engaging session focusing on key strategies for ACO leaders to achieve success in today’s dynamic health care landscape. Our ACO experts will explore the multifaceted approach needed to thrive in value-based care models, delve into the critical role of data-driven decision-making, and discuss how ACOs can leverage real-time analytics while balancing technological insights with clinical wisdom. The session will also highlight the importance of fostering collaborative care ecosystems, breaking down silos, and aligning stakeholder incentives. Additionally, the discussion will tackle the challenges of optimizing financial and operational performance, investing in workforce development to combat burnout and enhance skills, and the judicious application of technology.
Capital/Congress
Level M4
7:30 – 8:15 amBreakfast Sponsored by PointClickCare
Managing SNF Impact to an ACO
Speakers: Lori Baker, Tri-Health and Andrew Borgia, PointClickCare

Poor care collaboration between ACOs and post-acute care settings can lead to significant financial implications and suboptimal patient outcomes. This presentation focuses on the need for better connectivity and collaboration across the health care continuum. Learn how technology can help care teams interact, share data, and coordinate care more effectively. Our expert speakers will discuss the nuances of data sharing, AI, and the practical steps needed to improve communication and collaboration across the care continuum. Participants will gain insights into how better integration can enhance the quality and effectiveness of care, reduce rehospitalizations, and improve patient outcomes. Discover practical strategies and best practices to eliminate siloes and create a more cohesive, outcome driven health care ecosystem.
Archives
Level M4
7:30 – 8:15 amBreakfast Sponsored by Analog Devices
Novel, Noninvasive, Multiparameter Heart Failure Management Solution
Speakers: Seth Edwards, Premier; Marat Fudim, Duke Health; David G. Brown, Analog Devices

Engaging, panel-led presentation and discussion describing the challenges, solutions, and benefits of prioritizing the management of an ACO’s heart failure population.
Shaw/LeDroit
Level M3
8:30 – 10:30 amOpening Plenary
 
Welcome
Board Chair Emily Brower, Trinity Health 

Speaker: Jon Blum, CMS
 
Speaker:  Robbie Pearl, Author of ChatGPT, MD: How AI-Empowered Patients and Doctors Can Take Back Control of American Medicine
 
NAACOS Excellence Awardees Announced
Independence Ballroom
10:30 – 11:00 amCoffee Break
Book Signing with Robbie Pearl

Attendees will receive complimentary, signed copies of Dr. Pearl’s latest book.
Liberty Ballroom and
Independence Foyer
11:00 am – 12:30 pmAvoidable, Preventable, Costly: Solving for Preventable Admissions (and Readmissions)
Chair: Jessica Martensen, Essentia Health
Speakers: Henish Bhansali, Medical Home Network; Kelli Chovanec, Bon Secours Mercy Health; Sidney “Beau” Raymond, Ochsner Health Network; Kristen Wilson, Sentara Healthcare
 
This session will focus on tools to identify trends for admissions and readmissions along with innovative strategies that help address the cause of potentially avoidable care in both the emergency department and inpatient settings.
Capital/Congress
Level M4
11:00 am – 12:30 pmPopulation Health and Pharmacy Teams: Purpose, Process, Performance
Chair: Tiffany Jenkins, Trinity Health
Speakers: Mark Greg, Endeavor Health; Jacqueline Mullakary, Mount Sinai Health System

Understanding how best to develop or expand pharmacy teams to support population health management efforts presents a unique challenge as there is not a consistent definition of population health pharmacy or a standardized staffing model. With pharmacy cost and utilization at an all-time high, pharmacy team members can provide valuable skills and expertise to leverage data, design programs, and provide clinical services to enhance ACO outcomes. Join us for this session for insight on how an organization can approach designing, building, and monitoring performance of pharmacy teams in a population health setting. 
Archives
Level M4
11:00 am – 12:30 pmQuality on FHIR: The Movement to Digital Measurement
Chair: Megan Reyna, Advocate Health
Speaker: Ramsey Abdallah, Northwell Health; Jennifer Gasperini, Advocate Health; Tim Jackson, CMS; Edward Yurcisin, NCQA

With the next era of quality reporting being digital quality measures (dQMs), this panel will bring together NCQA, CMS, and ACOs to discuss how FHIR and other standards are going to support the move to digital measurement.
Shaw/LeDroit
Level M3
11:00 am – 12:30 pmACOs and Crossovers Between Models:  Deciphering What Model Is Best for Your Organization
Chair: Beth Patak, On Belay Health Solutions
Speakers: Kathy Harris, Commonwealth ACO; Bob LoNigro, On Belay Health Solutions; Stephanie Savicki, Bon Secours Mercy Health

The ACO landscape has changed significantly since its launch in 2012. Whether your entity has been participating since Pioneer or MSSP Track 1 or you are relatively new to ACOs, each year questions may come up, such as “What ACO model is best for us?” Where do you start to answer this question? First is understanding what models are available and how they differ or crossover. When do you make the decision to leave a model and move to another? Let us help you break it down, so you arrive at the right answer for your organization.    
Chinatown
Level M3
12:30 – 2:00 pmNetworking Lunch

Pick up a boxed lunch in the Exhibit Hall and network with colleagues and vendors.
Liberty and
Independence Ballrooms
2:00 – 3:30 pmWashington Update
Chair: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS
Speakers: Alec Aramanda, Williams and Jensen; Peter Fise, Tarplin, Downs & Young, LLC; Rob Daley, Alyssa Neumann, David Pittman, and Diwen Chen, NAACOS
 
The election outcome will guide future health care policies, including approaches for advancing value-based care. Join us to learn about the potential implications under a Trump or Harris administration. Additionally, Congress has been working to consider long-term solutions for improving physician payment. This session will cover all the latest in health care policy as well as provide an update on how NAACOS is advocating for our members to advance value.       
Capital/Congress
Level M4
2:00 – 3:30 pmA Good Life Until the Very End: Palliative Care and Advanced Care Planning Models for ACOs
Chair: Kim Kauffman, Aledade
Speakers: David Casarett, Duke Connected Care ACO; Jessica Moschella, The University of Vermont Health Network and OneCare ACO; Christine Martin, Cleveland Clinic ACO
 
Both Palliative Care and Advanced Care Planning are known to improve quality of life and reduce inpatient and outpatient costs. This session will review different models and their impact within the ACO framework. Topics will include identification of vulnerable populations, when and how to engage and empower patients and appropriate escalation from the primary care team to specialists.
Archives
Level M4
2:00 – 3:30 pmThe Seven Habits of Highly Effective ACO – Hospital Partnerships
Chair: Rob Mechanic, Institute for Accountable Care
Speakers: Ana Tuya Fulton, Integra Community Care; Megan Reyna, Advocate Health; Elizabeth Todd, Delaware Valley ACO
 
There is fundamental tension between the financial incentives hospitals face to maximize “heads in beds” and ACOs initiatives to reduce unnecessary admissions and deliver care in community settings. Patient outcomes can be optimized when hospitals and ACOs collaborate. This session will examine best practices developed when ACOs have been able to align effectively with their hospital partners. 
Shaw/LeDroit
Level M3
2:00 – 3:30 pmUsing Artificial Intelligence to Achieve the Triple Aim
Chair: Nathan Moore, BJC ACO
Speakers: Erin Hurlburt, Bon Secours Mercy Health; Kathryn Spates, Joint Commission; Norm Storwick, Lumeris
 
In this session, several organization will discuss their experience implementing AI to address common population health challenges, including successes, barriers and lessons learned.
Chinatown
Level M3
3:30 – 4:00 pmBreak
Exhibits Open
Liberty Ballroom and
Independence Foyer
4:00 – 5:30 pmAffinity Group Meetings
Clinical and CMO
Facilitators: Tiffany, Jenkins, Trinity Health Alliance of Michigan; David VanWinkle, Tandigm Health

Quality
Facilitators: Joshua Israel, Aledade; Bradley Reel, Lumeris

Legal and Compliance
Facilitators: Linda Cohen, OneCare Vermont; Eloy Sena, Ardent Health Services

Executive
Facilitators: Ann Roemen, ACO Collaborative; Jake Woods, PSW & NW Momentum Health Partners ACO

Operations
Facilitators: Kaitlyn Huttman, Keystone ACO; Jessica Martensen, Essentia Health

Data and Analytics
Facilitators: Erin Hurlburt, Bon Secours Mercy Health; Kamal Sumar, CommonSpirit
5:30 – 6:30 pm Reception
Exhibits Open
Liberty Ballroom and
Independence Foyer
Friday
7:00 amRegistration OpenIndependence Foyer
7:30 – 8:15 amSponsored Breakfast – A New Paradigm for Polypharmacy Management: How AI-Based Tools Can Be Used to Optimize Medication Management and Prevent Avoidable Hospitalizations
Speakers: Mary Amato, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; James Barr, Atlantic Health System; Anjali Kakwani, Atlantic ACO and Optimus Healthcare Partners; Lisa Rotenstein, UCSF Health; Adva Tzuk Onn and Liat Primor, FeelBetter

Join experts from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Atlantic Health System as they share prospective research and real-world evidence demonstrating how FeelBetter’s AI-powered platform can be used to accurately stratify risk, optimize medication regimens, improve patient outcomes and identify patient cohorts to target for pharmacy intervention and population health management.

Sponsored by FeelBetter

Capital/Congress
Level M4
7:30 – 8:15 amSponsored Breakfast – Simplifying ACO Quality Reporting: A Practical Guide to Making the Shift to eCQMs, MIPS CQMs, and Medicare CQMs
Speakers TBD

MDinteractive presents a comprehensive guide on how ACOs can transition seamlessly to eCQMs, MIPS CQMs, and Medicare CQMs reporting. Explore our approach to data integration, which addresses collection, aggregation, and deduplication across multiple practices with diverse EHRs, billing systems, and even paper medical records. Understand the advantages of establishing FHIR connections and how to leverage these interfaces for data collection. Attendees will depart with actionable strategies for successful reporting within the Alternative Payment Model Performance Pathway (APP).

Sponsored by MDinteractive
Archives
Level M4
7:30 – 8:15 amSponsored Breakfast – Insights into Action: Enabling ACOs to Improve Outcomes with AI-powered Workflows
Speakers: Graham Bury and Jessica Joy, Oracle; Jennifer Brady, Advocate Health

In this session, we will highlight the ability to deliver crucial insights that can help positively impact the experience and outcomes of your patients, reduce spend, and alleviate physician burden. The discussion will focus on key challenges that are impacting patients, providers, and ACOs, diving into how high-quality data, AI-driven workflows, and targeted applications can help alleviate those challenges and enable focus to be redirected back to the patient, provider, and ACO’s success.

Sponsored by Oracle
Shaw/LeDroit
Level M3
8:30 – 9:15 amPlenary
Payer Perspectives on Advancing Value-based Care
Moderator: Melanie Matthews, PSW
Speaker: Jaime Reedy, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ

Value-based care entities, physicians and other clinicians, hospitals and health plans have made great strides over the last decade adopting various VBC arrangements and improving quality and cost. This panel will discuss how payers and VBC entities are advancing innovative care delivery solutions and payment approaches across MA, Medicaid and commercial products.
Independence Ballroom
9:15 – 9:45 amBreak
Exhibits Open

Liberty Ballroom and
Independence Foyer
9:45 – 11:15 amNAACOS Excellence Awards: Learn From Leaders in Value Based Care
Chair: Jennifer Gasperini, NAACOS
Speakers: Rafael Alvarez, Buena Vida y Salud; Nancy Beran, Northwell Health; Iliana Merlis Stephens, Providence Health

Join this session to hear from the recipients of the inaugural 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 in five key areas: (1) patient and community engagement, (2) commitment to a value culture across the organization, (3) a focus on outcomes, (4) use of data and tools, and (5) how clinical interventions are used to improve patient care.  
Capital/Congress
Level M4
9:45 – 11:15 amShared Savings Models in Value Based Care:  How Do We Maximize the Impact of Success for Future Success
Chair: Arshad Rahim, Mount Sinai Health System
Speaker: Linda Bezjian, Mount Sinai Health System; Heather Jacobson, Evolent; Joel Port, Delaware Valley ACO; Rose Vicente-Soito, CommonSpirit ACO

Financial incentives matter and motivate, and are mission critical to moving and motivating your care delivery enterprise.  When we are fortunate to achieve shared savings, what are some specifics to achieving the biggest impact of your success to drive future engagement by all key stakeholders?  We will share examples from a few organizations to spur discussion and dialogue. 
Archives
Level M4
9:45 – 11:15 amPerspectives in Practice: FQHC Approaches to Implementing Medicaid, Medicare, and Global Risk Models
Chair: Meredith Marsh, Health Choice Network
Speakers: Henish Bhansali, Medical Home Network; Rita Lewis, National Association of Community Health Centers; Vernicka Porter-Sales, Legacy Community Health

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are at the forefront of adapting to new reimbursement models and regulatory requirements. This session will explore how different FQHCs are navigating the complexities of Medicaid, Medicare, and global risk models and will highlight the strategies they have integrated into enhancing their operations.
Shaw/LeDroit
Level M3
9:45 – 11:15 amACO and CBO Partnerships: Creating the Building Blocks for Whole-person Health by Strengthening Capacity and Partnership
Chair: Ann Kunkel, Wellspan
Speakers: Kelly Cronin, Administration for Community Living; June Simmons, Partners in Care Foundation; Bryan Smith, Lebanon Christian Ministries; Katie Wilt, WellSpan

Partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs) is an important strategy in advancing whole-person health and addressing patients’ social needs. This session explores how to build a foundation for strong partnerships between ACOs and CBOs. Panelists will overview the national landscape around partnership development and the community care hub model, present real-world examples of how ACO community partnerships are working on the ground, and discuss the future of collaboration between ACOs and CBOs.
Chinatown
Level M3
11:15 – 11:30 amBreakLiberty Ballroom and
Independence Foyer
11:30 am – 1:00 pmRisky Business:  Delegated Risk for CMS, CMMI, and Commercial VB Models
Chair: Jennifer Moore, MaineHealth ACO
Speakers: Gabe Drapos, Pearl Health; Stephen Nuckolls, Community Care of North Carolina; Will Robinson, Harmony Cares; Brent Stanton, Cumberland Center for Health Innovation
 
This session will cover risk models and the question, how much risk is too much risk?  Speakers will explore the considerations for electing to partner with an external party to assume downside risk and review options in this space (reinsurance, partnerships, etc.).
Capital/Congress
Level M4
11:30 am – 1:00 pmACO Success – A Tactical Approach
Chair: Kaite Huttman, Keystone ACO
Speakers: Eric Becker, Agilon Health; Eloy, Sena, Ardent Health; Annette Wilson, Keystone ACO
 
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success – Henry Ford. Join our panelists of experts as we explore their real-world approaches from initial contracts, to sharing impactful actionable data, and team integration for clinical and quality alignment.
Archives
Level M4
11:30 am – 1:00 pmDriving Value in Specialty Care
Chair: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS
Speakers: Rob Mechanic, Institute for Accountable Care; Frank Opelka, American College of Surgeons; Sarah Fogler, CMMI

As we seek to include all providers in alternative payment models, a recent focus has been on inclusion of specialists in VBC arrangements. Hear more information about the recent CMMI model TEAM as well as strategies ACOs are employing to incorporate specialists in TCOC arrangements.
Shaw/LeDroit
Level M3
11:30 am – 1:00 pmShaping Future Health: Upstream Care Management Strategies for High-Needs Populations
Chair: Stephanie Turner, UNC Health Alliance
Speakers: Tara Kinard, Duke; Eleanor Wertman, Integrated Care for Kids
 
This presentation delves into innovative care management strategies designed to transform the health and cost trajectories of high-needs populations, with a particular focus on Medicare and Medicaid recipients. By addressing healthcare challenges upstream, we aim to create sustainable, long-term improvements in patient outcomes and cost efficiency.
Chinatown
Level M3
1:00 – 2:30 pmLunch
 
CMS Town Hall
Moderator: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS
Speakers: Pauline Lapin, CMS; John Pilotte, CMS; Sarah Fogler, CMS; Michelle Schreiber, CMS 
 
This session includes a town hall format and is an important way for ACOs and CMS to have an open dialogue about important Administration priorities, the shift to value-based care, and the Medicare ACO program, including discussion on evolving policies and how ACOs and DCEs fit into CMS’s overall goal of improving Medicare payment and healthcare delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for ACO and DCE executives to pose questions and receive answers directly from CMS leaders and to hear the newest developments straight from the agency.
Independence Ballroom