Fall 2023 Conference Agenda
Sept 2022


Register Now! 
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 am6:00 pm ET
Friday (Main Meeting): 7:30 am–2:30 pm ET

Thursday, September 21

Time

Session

Location

7:00 am

Registration Open

Independence Foyer

7:30 am – 8:15 am

Breakfast Session Sponsored by PointClickCare

Enhancing ACO Effectiveness: Post-Acute Care Collaboration with an ACO  
Speakers: Anthony Laflen, PointClickCare and Danielle Salazar, RWJ Barnabas Health

In this presentation, health system leaders describe effective strategies for addressing readmissions by focusing on technology-enabled post-acute care management. Their results highlight the importance of sharing data across the network, as well as the value of real-time clinical data and machine learning to support transitions of care and drive deeper collaboration with their post-acute partners.  

Capitol/Congress

7:30 am – 8:15 am

Breakfast Session Sponsored by Labcorp

Succeeding in Quality Measures by Closing Lab-Based Care Gaps 
Speakers: Brian Buesing and Jennifer Ennis, Labcorp; Juliana C. Hawkins, Imperium Health Management, and Yates Lennon, CHESS Health Solutions

Join us as we discuss how lab data can help close lab-based care gaps and succeed in quality measures. 

Archives

7:30 am – 8:15 am

Breakfast Session Sponsored by Lightbeam Health Solutions, LLC

How BJC ACO is Scaling Staff and Serving Low-SES Populations with Patient Engagement and Monitoring Post-Discharge
Speakers: Shelley Davis, Lightbeam Health Solutions; Megan Guinn, BJC Medical Group; Nathan Moore, BJC Medical Group

Hear from speakers as they share their journey from pilot to scaled implementation of deviceless remote patient monitoring to create a population health and care management strategy for the rising-risk segment. Examine the workflow BJC ACO created that enabled its care team to reach more patients while maintaining high clinical quality and job satisfaction. 

Shaw/LeDroit

8:30 am – 10:00 am

Opening Plenary

Jon Blum, Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, CMS

Jon Blum will open the fall conference with insights into CMS’s policy for value-based care models and the future direction for federal value-based payment policy.

Secrets to the Success of High-Performing ACOs
Moderator: Emily Brower, Trinity Health
Speakers: Keith Fernandez, Privia; Kevin Kearns, Millennium Healthcare; David Klebonis, West Palm Beach ACO

The panel will engage in a discussion of the strategies and practices they use to lead high-performing ACOs.  

Liberty Ballroom

10:00 am – 10:30 am

Break
Exhibits Open

Independence Foyer and Ballroom

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Embracing Risk and Achieving Success through Multi-Payer Alignment
Chair: Tim Gronniger, Signify Health 
Speakers: Sam Johnmeyer, MultiCare Connected Care; Eloy Sena, Ardent Health; Christina Pavetto, Crouse Medical Practice

This session will explore the advantages and lessons learned by providers who have successfully transitioned to risk-based contracts. Attendees will gain valuable insights and best practices to optimize patient care and enhance reimbursement opportunities across all value-based contracts, including the MSSP, MA, and commercial. Learn how to navigate this transition with confidence to improve quality of patient care and achieve financial success.

Capitol/Congress

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

eCQMs, MIPS CQMs and Medicare CQMsDiscussing Recent CMS Quality Reporting Proposals
Chair: Jennifer Gasperini, NAACOS 
Speakers: Timothy Jackson, CMS; Jessica Walradt, Northwestern Medicine

In this session, CMS staff will review recent policy changes including proposals to create a new quality reporting option, Medicare CQMs, for use by MSSP ACOs. This session will explore the various quality reporting options for ACOs and hear how ACOs are considering implementation of quality changes in light of these recently proposed changes. 

Archives

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Defining, Optimizing and Scaling Your Home-based Models of Care Delivery
Chair: Arshad Rahim, Mount Sinai Health System
Speakers: Ana Tuya Fulton, Care New England; Lindsay Jubelt, Mass General Brigham; Ania Wajnberg, Mount Sinai @ Home 

Delivering full hospital level or subacute care in the home is an important approach to care delivery for provider organizations, current and future.  A home based portfolio of services appears to be a differentiator of strong consumer, payer and government interest.  This session will address the following questions: What are the options for home-based care delivery? What utilization, outcomes and process measures do these models best support? What are the key success factors? What are your biggest risks and how do you overcome? Financial proformas to date and projections?

Shaw/LeDroit

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

The How, Where and Who of Using Information to Elevate Patient Health
Chair: Debbie Welle-Powell
Speaker: Rob Fields, Beth Israel Deaconess; Francoise Marvel, John's Hopkins University; Kapil Parakh, Google

Information is a true social determinant of health that can be used to drive positive health outcomes.  Yet how we deliver it, where we deliver it, and who delivers it is critical to succeeding in improving patient health.  Information must be accessible, engaging, credible, replicable, and bimodal.  Attendees at this session will learn how to identify effective strategies to communicate with patients and improve their health by sharing information that patients value, believe, and will use.

Chinatown

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Networking Lunch
Exhibits Open 

Grab a boxed lunch in the Exhibit Hall, visit with the exhibitors, and network with ACO peers.  Tables will also be available in the Liberty Ballroom for you to engage in conversations with colleagues on topics of common interest.

Liberty Ballroom/ Independence Ballroom

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

MA's Shifting Landscape and Implications for MA Risk
Chair: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS
Speaker: Maria Alexander, Mount Sinai Health; Rick Goddard, Lumeris; Elyse Pegler, Aetna; Jacob Woods, PSW

The MA landscape is continually evolving with more beneficiaries opting into MA.  Additionally, CMS has made significant changes to MA regulations in past years.  This session will provide an overview of recent policy updates and how ACOs and plans are responding to the changes.

Capital/Congress

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Using CMS BE Waivers in VBC Contracts
Chair: Jodi Frei, OneCare Vermont 
Speakers: Franke Elliott, Bloom HealthCare; Kathy Harris, Equality Health; Joel Port, Delaware Valley ACO

This panel will review how to maximize the use of CMS beneficiary waivers in your ACO's value-based care contracts.  Panelists will address considerations and strategies behind waiver implementation plans as well as  discuss the SNF, home health, and Part B cost-sharing waiver implementation processes. 

Archives

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Stop Physician Burnout!  Use AI and ML Enabled Digital Platforms 
Chair: Tom Kloos, Atlantic ACO and Optimus
Speakers: Nathan Moore, BJC ACO; Anna Taylor, MultiCare Connected Care

Join us to discuss how ACO's are piloting digital solutions with artificial intelligence and machine learning to expand outreach to attributed populations for disease tracking, inter-visit communications, and population health activities. We will discuss digital collaborative behavioral health models, digital algorithms to promote advanced care planning, and how developing a fully automated prior authorization model increased provider productivity by 230 percent.

Shaw/LeDroit

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Cost, Access and Culture: Unique ACO Challenges (and Opportunities) in the Rural Setting
Chair: David Switzer, Valley Health 
Speakers: Richard Cole, Patrick County Family Practice; Christian Gomes, Valley Health; Ann Roemen, ACO Collaborative, LLC

The panelists will discuss the unique circumstances of ACOs in rural areas, including cost-based reimbursement impact on shared savings, the effect of health professional shortages and limited resources on access to care, and the influence of rural culture on the delivery of services. The panelists will share the challenges they face, successes they have had, and their views on rural health policy reform to ensure that value based care is tenable in rural communities.

Chinatown

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Break
Exhibits Open

Independence Foyer and Ballroom

3:30 pm – 5:00 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. 

Data and Analytics
Facilitator: Jim Barr, Atlantic MSO; Anna Taylor, MultiCare Connected Care

Capitol/Congress

 

Quality
Facilitators: David Basel, Avera Health; Robyn Bartek, Orlando Health Collaborative Care

Archives

 

CMO and Clinical
Facilitators: Nina Taggart, Lehigh Valley Health Network; David Van Winkle, Tandigm Health

Shaw/LeDroit

 

Executive
Facilitators: Jake Woods, PSW; Taylor Hall, Millennium ACO

Chinatown

 

Operations
Facilitators: CarolAnn Hudson, LifePoint Health; Jessica Martensen, Essentia Health

Liberty Ballroom

 

Legal and Compliance
Facilitators: Nicole Swan, Ochsner Health System; Christian Long, Complete Health

Treasury

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Reception
Exhibits Open

All attendees are welcome to attend the reception for complimentary beverages and appetizers

Independence Foyer and Ballroom

Friday, September 22

Time

Session

Location

7:00 am

Registration Open

Independence Foyer

7:30 am – 8:15 am

Breakfast Session Sponsored by Innovaccer

Harnessing Analytics for Performance Optimization: Insights and Strategies for Excelling in VBC
Moderator: Amy Stevens, Innovaccer
Speakers: Christiana Beveridge, Upperline; Kanav Hasija, Innovaccer; Tamra Ruymann, PSW

Join our esteemed panel of experts as they delve into the transformative power of analytics in optimizing performance within value-based care. This engaging discussion will provide deep insights and practical strategies to help you achieve excellence in value-based care models. Our panelists will explore the latest advancements in data analytics and share best practices on how other health systems, ACOs, and providers are harnessing the power of analytics to drive improved outcomes, cost savings, and patient satisfaction. The session will provide insights on how analytics can enhance care coordination, identify at-risk populations, measure performance indicators, and inform strategic decision-making. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and actionable takeaways that can empower your organization to thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of value-based care.

Capitol/Congress

7:30 am – 8:15 am

Breakfast Session Sponsored by AMA

AMA MAP: A New Framework for Clinical Quality Improvement
Speakers: Rob Davis and Shannon Haffey, AMA

Improving quality and managing total cost of care are critical to the success of an ACO. The AMA MAP framework is designed to drive clinical quality improvement through the use of key metrics, clinical dashboards, and practice coaching towards improvement. Measuring Accurately, Acting Rapidly, and Partnering with Patients on hypertension has led health care organizations such as Cook Co Health System to achieve a 13 percentage point improvement in blood pressure control rates. Our unique measures can be integrated into EHRs and population health platforms to help stratify patient data including race, ethnicity, and gender which are critical to the new CMMI REACH Model to improve equity of care and outcomes. Our team-based peer-to-peer coaching engages broader care teams and models, including remote monitoring, which can result in reduced total cost of care while improving outcomes. The AMA MAP framework can be applied for multiple clinical conditions and is always offered to the health care organization free of cost as part of the AMA’s mission to work towards the betterment of public health.

Archives

7:30 am – 8:15 am

Breakfast Session Sponsored by MDInteractive

Simplifying ACO Quality Reporting: A Practical Guide to Making the Shift to eCQMs, MIPS CQMs, and Medicare CQMs
Speakers: Paulo Andre, Elizabeth Guerra, and Cherie Haydock, MDInteractive

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).

Shaw/LeDroit

8:30 am – 9:15 am

Plenary

Congressional Perspectives on Health Care 
Speakers: Alec Aramanda, Professional Staff Member, House Committee on Energy and Commerce; Sarah Levin, Professional Staff Member, House Committee on Ways and Means; Marisa Salemme, Professional Staff Member, Senate Committee on Finance; Conor Sheehey, Senior Health Policy Advisor, Senate Committee on Finance

Hear directly from those at the heart of the lawmaking process on Capitol Hill: the Congressional staff panel will provide their perspectives on congressional priorities and implications for any health care legislation.

Liberty Ballroom

9:15 am – 9:45 am

Break
Exhibits Open

Independence Foyer and Ballroom

9:45 am – 11:15 am

Medicare ACO and Primary Care Models: Mix-in, Mash-up, or Move Aside? 
Chair: Emily Brower, Trinity Health
Speakers: Melanie Matthews, PSW; Joel Port, Delaware Valley ACO; Margaret Senese, Atrius Health; Brandon Webb, OneHealth Nebraska 

Join a panel of NAACOs members juggling MSSP, Primary Care First and REACH, and thinking about the new Making Care Primary model. Learn where they see the benefit from participating in more than one model and the pitfalls of overlap. How do they align goals, track performance and manage the network to be sure participation is complementary and not conflicting? What would encourage them to direct a provider to participate in one model over another? To learn what is most important for members considering dual model participation, join us.

Capitol/Congress

9:45 am – 11:15 am

NAACOS Washington Update
Chair: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS
Speakers: Rob Daley, Jennifer Gasperini, Alyssa Neumann, and David Pittman, NAACOS 

NAACOS staff will provide an update on NAACOS’ efforts to ensure ACOs remain successful in the program and drive innovation for ACOs.  This session will provide updates on key policies for MSSP and REACH ACOs, fee-for-service policies that impact ACOs, NAACOS congressional and regulatory advocacy, and efforts to advance value across payers.

Archives

9:45 am – 11:15 am

Engaging Providers to Drive VBC Success
Chair: Stephen Nuckolls, Coastal Carolina Quality Care 
Speakers: Laura Cone Gay, UNC Health Alliance; Deepika Kewlani-Varkey, CVS Accountable Care; Catherine Smitas, Aledade

Panelists from a variety of organizational types will share their tools and strategies for engaging providers to improve performance in their value-based contracts.  These strategies will range from training programs to financial incentives.  Attendees will learn which programs have been most successful in achieving positive results.

Shaw/LeDroit

9:45 am – 11:15 am

ACO REACH Quality Measurement: A Timely Discussion on Follow-Up
Chair: Trevey Davis, UpStream
Speakers: Gena Graves, Lumeris; Mark Reardon, UpStream; Josh Romney, Castell Health 

Puns aside, it is time to discuss the "Timely Follow-Up After Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Conditions (TFU)" quality measure used in the ACO REACH Model. This measure is new for ACOs and is poised to play a critical role in care transformation. The panel will provide insight into the measure, its impact on organizational strategy, and most importantly, how timely follow-up improves patient care.

Chinatown

11:15 am – 11:30 am

Break

Independence Foyer and Ballroom

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Operationalizing Value Based Revenue Cycle – Navigating the Change from CMS-HCC v24 to v28
Chair: Wilson Gabbard, Advocate Health
Speakers: Maria Alexander, Mount Sinai Health System; Henish Bhansali, Duly Health and Care; Kyle Campbell, Intermountain 

This session's panelists will review the basics of risk adjustment as they apply to managing population health, including the alignment among MA, MSSP, ACA, and commercial payers. They will review the changes from v24 to v28, explaining the implications and opportunities for ACOs. Participants will learn how to respond successfully by deploying technology updates, analyzing data, and transforming operations. 

Capitol/Congress

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Practice Transformation Strategies: Unlocking Success in VBC
Chair: Jonathan Rubens, CVS ACO
Speaker: Anthony Ardito, Catholic Health of Long Island; Janet Comrey, Geisinger Health System; Laura Zimmerman, Rush University

This session will explore challenges and successes experienced on the journey to shift from fee-for-service to a value-based care model. Hear contrasting physician and operational perspectives on the strategies employed to transform practice operations.

Archives

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Direct to Employer Contracting: The Next Stage of Development for ACOs and How to Solve the Two-Canoe Problem
Chair: Bob Rauner, OneHealth Nebraska
Speakers: Lee Handke, Nebraska Health Network; Tiffaney Skaw, Nebraska Furniture Mart; Jill Watson, Centrus Health 

Many successful ACOs are struggling with the "Two-Canoe" problem.  They have one foot moving full steam ahead in the ACO canoe while the other foot is stuck in a fee-for-service canoe.  Likewise, employers are looking for preferred relationships with provider groups that are focused on driving positive health outcomes for their employees and dependents.  Hear from panelists representing two ACOs and an employer in the Midwest who are working together to bring these solutions to market.

Shaw/LeDroit

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

If Behavioral Health Is So Important, Why Are So Few ACOs Doing It?
Chair: Josh Israel, Aledade 
Speakers: Lelin Chao, Aledade; Michele Fronckiewicz, Aledade New Jersey; Jeff Mandel, Aledade Pennsylvania and Kentucky

This session will feature a discussion of the prevalence of the most common behavioral health disorders in primary care, the state of treatment resources in the United States, and some strategies to address behavioral health needs that have been tried at one multi-state ACO.

Chinatown

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

CMS Town Hall 
Moderator: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS
Speakers: John Pilotte, Purva Rawal, Pauline Lapin, 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 fit into CMS’s overall goal of improving Medicare payment and healthcare delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for ACO executives to pose questions and receive answers directly from CMS leaders and also to hear the newest developments straight from the agency.

Liberty Ballroom