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 – Innovaccer Driving Population Health at Scale: Top Strategies That Work Speakers: Tori Bratcher, Trinity Health; Brian Silverstein and Amy Stevens, Innovaccer Health systems, ACOs, and provider organizations are under pressure to improve quality, lower costs, and deliver better patient experiences. Technology can accelerate these goals, but only when it’s aligned with strategy and embedded into workflows. In this session, we will explore proven strategies on ACOs can use technology to unify data, apply predictive analytics, enable real-time care coordination, and engage patients as partners in their health. During the session, we will highlight real-world examples of how organizations are driving measurable improvements in outcomes and financial performance. By the end of this session, participants will be able to: Understand how technology can help improve population health outcomes. Learn practical ways to use data and analytics to guide better care decisions. Explore simple strategies to better engage patients in their care. Recognize the key measures that show if your population health efforts are working.	Archives
7:30 – 8:15 am	Business Partner Sponsored Breakfast – PointClickCare Beyond Notifications: Driving Outcomes in Skilled Nursing Collaboration with Real-Time Clinical Insights Speakers: Andrew Borgia, PointClickCare and Dana Pedrick, Tandigm Health Knowing when a patient is admitted or discharged to a Skilled Nursing Facility is table stakes. The real opportunity is to use timely, trusted data to drive proactive care coordination, reduce avoidable utilization, and deliver financial performance under growing downside risk. Speaking with Andrew Borgia, Director of Strategic Accounts at PointClickCare Dana Pedrick, Vice President, Care Management Programs at Tandigm Health will share how her team moved beyond basic ADT notifications to a comprehensive PAC Management strategy. She will detail how near-complete visibility into the SNF population, typically exceeding 90 percent, coupled with real-time clinical data for both clinical and non-clinical teams, AI-driven prioritization of caseloads, and provider-level performance analytics, enabled measurable impact on length of stay, readmissions, and SNF days per thousand. They will discuss how these insights support better discharge planning and prevention of bounce backs, as well as stronger collaboration with SNFs through data-informed provider assignments. The session will provide a practical roadmap for embedding technology into daily workflows, aligning stakeholders, tracking the metrics that matter, and preparing operations for the next phase of value-based care.	Shaw/LeDroit
8:30 – 9:15 am	Opening Plenary CMS Speakers, invited	Liberty Ballroom
9:15 – 9:30 am	Break Exhibits Open	Independence Ballroom
9:30 – 10:30 am	Plenary Excellence Awards Presentation 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 Speakers: Michael Barbati, Advocate Health; Paul Trompke, Aledade 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 Speakers: Jen Bailey, Trinity Health; Wilson Gabbard, Advocate 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, Advocate Health Speakers: Edo Banach, Foley Hoag; Susan Herbert, Advent Health; Nate Hunkins, Blue Stone MD 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 Speakers: David Klebonis, Palm Beach ACO; Andrea Osborne, On Belay Health System 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	Advancing Your Portfolio: Innovations in Alternative Payment Model Design Chair: Mark Gwynne, UNC Speakers: Maria Alexander, Coral Health Advisors; Paul Hendley, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC As alternative payment models continue to evolve across market segments, organizations face growing challenges in building strategies that are both clear and sustainable. This session will convene leaders from payer organizations, provider groups, and industry experts to explore the latest innovations shaping today’s payment models. Participants will gain insights into real-world models tailored to diverse populations and markets, learn how to evaluate opportunities for advancing their own contract portfolios, and assess whether their networks are prepared for a multi-payer value-based strategy. Learning Objectives: Recognize core features of population-specific alternative payment models that drive portfolio growth. Understand the payer perspective in designing new alternative payment models. Assess key indicators of network readiness for adopting multi-payer value contracts. Describe trends in alignment across value-based contracts for different markets and populations.	Archives
2:00 – 3:30 pm	Unlocking Value in Post-Acute Care: Strategies for Optimized Transitions and Outcomes Chair: Herbert Druilhet, Ochsner Health System Speaker: Christopher Major, 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	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
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 – FeelBetter Transforming Medication Management at Scale: Unlocking Value-Based Care Success with Agentic AI Speakers: Drew Albano, Atlantic Health and ACO; Anjali Kakwani, Atlantic ACO and Optimus Healthcare Partners; Liat Primor, FeelBetter Medication management is a critical driver of value-based care success, but traditional approaches often fall short for patients with multiple chronic conditions and polypharmacy. In this session, discover how FeelBetter, powered by agentic AI, is transforming medication management at scale to improve outcomes and strengthen value-based performance. Real-world evidence from Atlantic Health System will demonstrate how AI-driven strategies empower care teams to close medication gaps, optimize prescribing, and reduce preventable utilization. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and proven strategies to apply in their own organizations, unlocking measurable improvements in both clinical outcomes and financial performance.	Archives
7:30 – 8:15 am	Business Partner Sponsored Breakfast – Oliver Wyman Collaborative Decision-Making to Drive ACO Growth and Shared Savings Speakers : Allison Brennan, Consultant; Brandon Danz and Audrey Jones, WellSpan Health; Lisa Buczkowski, Shannon Padayachy, Gabe Rivera and Andrew Webster, Oliver Wyman Achieving sustained success in value-based care requires strong partnerships, multidisciplinary collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. In this interactive panel, leaders from Oliver Wyman will facilitate a discussion with WellSpan Health about how they work across financial, clinical, and operational domains to guide strategic choices that improve outcomes and drive growth. Panelists will discuss how WellSpan has leveraged advanced analytics, physician engagement, and fair governance models to strengthen independent practice partnerships, optimize shared savings distribution, and explore new growth opportunities. Attendees will gain insight into how disciplined, team-based decision-making can accelerate performance and create a scalable path for future success.	Shaw/LeDroit
8:30 – 9:30 am	Plenary Investor Panel Moderator: Henish Bhansali, Medical Home Network Speakers: Meera Mani, Partner, Town Hall Ventures; Kavita Patel, Venture Partner, New Enterprise Associates; Robin Shah, CEO, Thyme Care	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 Speakers: Wade Brosius, Pottstown Medical Specialists; Rob Fields, Beth Israel; Dustin Ottemiller, Jefferson Health; Jessica Walradt, Northwestern Medicine 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 Speakers: Jad Hayes, Aledade; Victor Legner, Central Ohio Primary Care; Frank McStay, Duke-Margolis; Michael McWilliams, Harvard 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	Caring for All: Advancing Accountable Care for Special Populations Chair: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS Speaker: Will Robinson Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are increasingly responsible for delivering high-quality, coordinated care to populations with diverse and complex needs. This session will highlight strategies and persistent barriers in caring in effectively serving special populations, including high-needs and medically complex, long-term care eligible, and medically underserved patients, as well as those living in rural communities. The session will also include a forward-looking discussion on policy changes needed to better support providers and improve care for these vulnerable groups within the ACO model.	Shaw/LeDroit
9:45 – 11:15 am	Strategies to Successfully Navigate the CMS TEAM Model Chair: Rob Mechanic, Institute for Accountable Care Speakers: Rob Fields, Beth Israel Lahey Health; Eloy Sena, Signify ACO; Thomas Tsai, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and American College of Surgeons The CMS Team model launches on January 1, 2026. Hospitals and their partners need to begin deploying strategies for successful participation in the model. This panel will begin with a brief overview of TEAM and an early financial impact analysis. We will then hear from several hospital-affiliated ACOs about the strategies they are deploying to engage surgical teams, hard-wire clinical best practices, manage care transitions and optimize use of post-acute care. The panel will also discuss the potential for employing episodes more broadly in efforts to manage total cost of care.	Chinatown
11:15 – 11:30 am	Break Exhibits Open	Independence Ballroom
11:30 am – 1:00 pm	A Discussion in the Keys to Leading a Large Multi-TIN Network Chair: Grayling Yarbrough Speaker: Joyce Colton, Arshad Rahim, Mount Sinai Health System 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.	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 Speakers: Michael Barbati, Advocate Health; David Dempsey, Heartbeat Health; Gene Quinn, Envoy Integrated Health 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	Unlikely Allies: ACO-Geriatric ED Partnerships Reducing Avoidable Hospitalizations Chair: Ana Tuya-Fulton, Integra Speakers: Jess Hohman, Cleveland Clinic; Steve Meldon, Cleveland Clinic; Tony Rodriquez, UNC Health Alliance Hospital emergency departments are the gateway to nearly 60% of inpatient admissions among older adults, yet most ACOs have limited visibility into these critical and costly decisions. This session will highlight an initiative led by West Health Institute that brought together three dyads of innovative ACO and Geriatric Emergency Departments (GED) focused on reducing avoidable hospitalizations through bidirectional education and redesigning care pathways. Presenters from Cleveland Clinic, UNC Health Alliance, and Integra Community Care Network will share their strategies, challenges, and results of these partnerships. Dyads collectively prevented over 500 hospital admissions and generated an estimated $6.4M–$7.2M in gross savings over 15 months. Join us for a discussion on how emergency departments can be essential allies in developing new disposition pathways that are better for patients and align with ACO goals. Panelists will also share the growing network of Accountable Care Organizations engaging with policy makers to highlight the provider-side experience and perspectives. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on building ACO/GED partnerships, leveraging cross-system collaboration, and advancing accountable care goals.	Shaw/LeDroit

1:00 – 2:30 pm	Lunch Closing Plenary	Liberty Ballroom

Fall 2025 Preliminary Conference AgendaOctober 8–10