Spring 2025 Conference Agenda
April 22-24
Agenda | Pre-Conference | Sponsorship & Exhibits | Live Webcast Registration | In-Person Registration | Hotel | CEUs
NAACOS conferences are the only events organized exclusively by ACOs.
Schedule: Tuesday (pre-conference workshops): 1:00–5:00 pm ET
Wednesday (Main Meeting): 7:30 am–6:30 pm ET
Thursday (Main Meeting): 7:30 am–2:45 pm ET
Wednesday, April 23
Time |
Event |
Location |
|
7:00 am |
Registration Open |
Key Ballroom Foyers |
|
7:30 – |
Business Partner Sponsored Breakfasts |
Key 3-4 |
|
|
Opening Plenary |
Key 5-8 |
|
10:30 – |
Coffee Break |
Key Ballroom Foyers |
|
11:00 am – 12:30 pm |
Staying HOME with Dementia: NEW Innovative Models to Deliver Better Outcomes and Significantly Lower Utilization as We Prepare to Care for the Largest Group of Dementia Patients in History
|
Key 1-2 |
|
11:00 am – 12:30 pm |
Beyond the Referral: Building Collaborative Care Networks Chair: Deepika Kewlani-Varkey, Stellar Health ACO Effective care management is critical for achieving optimal outcomes in today’s value-based care environment, but success depends on seamless collaboration across all stakeholders, including the patient. This session will explore innovative strategies to break down silos, align care management initiatives, and engage providers as active partners in the care continuum. Learning Objectives:
|
Key 3-4 |
|
11:00 am – 12:30 pm |
How to Decide between MSSP E vs. Enhanced vs. REACH – The Actuarial Process Chair: Henish Bhansali, Medical Home Network |
Key 9-10 |
|
11:00 am – 12:30 pm |
Unmasking Fraud in Value-Based Care: Lessons from 2023 DME Settlements and Strategies for the Next Wave Chair: Gabe Orthous, Health Choice Care
Learning Objectives: Master effective reporting protocols to escalate findings to the CMS Center for Program Integrity (CPI) and Office of Inspector General (OIG), ensuring compliance with ACO requirements and improving fraud recovery outcomes. Understand the Impact of 2023 DME Fraud Settlements: Analyze the scope and financial consequences of the $2 billion catheter fraud scheme identified in 2023, which affected ACO shared savings and benchmarking, as uncovered by NAACOS and settled through federal investigations. Identify key issues from 2023 settlements, including inadequate oversight of DME suppliers and exploitation of Medicare billing codes, that led to widespread anomalous billing. Identify and Anticipate the Next Wave of Fraud: Explore emerging fraud trends beyond DME and predict value-based care model vulnerabilities using data integration efforts’ insights. Develop skills to recognize early warning signs of fraud through data analytics, quality metric anomalies, and provider network shifts, informed by 2023’s lessons. Enhance Detection and Reporting of Irregularities: Learn practical methods to detect irregularities in claims data, leveraging real-time notifications from systems like the HIE ENS and EMR integrations, to flag suspicious activities promptly. |
Key 11-12 |
|
12:30 – |
Networking Lunch Exhibits Open |
Key 5-8 Key Ballroom Foyers |
|
2:00 – |
Moving Beyond Medicare Risk: How to Create a Sustainable Multi-Payer Strategy Chair: Tori Bratcher, Trinity Health Many organizations often start with Medicare ACOs and MA contracts when they begin their value-based care journey. How does this strategy lead to growth in other payer segments? Does that foundation translate to success with other payers and populations? What capabilities need to be in place for Commercial and Medicaid risk? This session will provide insight and give the audience strategies to transform their risk strategy to support multi-payer growth for larger overall impact. Learning Objectives:
|
Key 1-2 |
|
2:00 – |
Practical Strategies for Success in Medicaid Value-Based Contracting Chair: Maria Alexander, Coral Health Advisors Building on early lessons learned, this advanced session explores the evolving landscape of Medicaid value-based contracting in a variety of states. Expert panelists from ACOs and payers will delve into practical strategies for addressing the unique challenges of value-based contracting for Medicaid populations. Topics will include setting appropriate quality and financial targets, addressing persistent provider access challenges, and implementing approaches to whole-person care. Drawing from years of implementation experience, speakers will share insights on evaluation frameworks for provider partnerships, innovative solutions to network adequacy issues, and practical strategies for managing complex contractual relationships in the Medicaid space. Learning Objectives:
|
Key 3-4 |
|
2:00 – |
Harnessing Agentic AI to Optimize Primary Care for ACOs Chair: Rick Goddard, Lumeris As value-based care accelerates, the integration of agentic AI—AI systems that can act autonomously while maintaining a human-centered approach—is poised to reshape primary care delivery. This panel explores how agentic AI can streamline care coordination, enhance patient engagement, and improve health outcomes, particularly for complex populations. For value-based models to be successful, reaching the entire population is paramount for both preventative and treatment. Agentic AI is positioned to scale support for early to rising risk populations whereas it was considered too expensive even months ago to support with human support. Join a dynamic discussion with leading AI and healthcare experts to explore real-world use cases, strategies for adoption, and the critical role of technology in scaling accountable care. Learn how organizations are using AI not just as a tool for insight but as a partner in action, supporting providers and empowering patients in their health journeys. Learning Objectives:
|
Key 9-10 |
|
3:30 – |
Break Exhibits Open |
Key Ballroom Foyers |
|
4:00 – |
Affinity Group – Compliance and Legal |
Key 1-2 |
|
4:00 – |
Affinity Group – Clinical and Performance Improvement |
Key 3-4 |
|
4:00 – |
Affinity Group – Operations and Executive |
Key 9-10 |
|
4:00 – |
Affinity Group – Data and Analytics |
Key 11-12 |
|
5:30 – |
Reception Exhibits Open |
Key Ballroom Foyers |
Thursday, April 24
Time |
Event |
Location |
|
7:00 am |
Registration Open |
Key Ballroom Foyers |
|
7:30 – |
Business Partner Sponsored Breakfasts |
Key 3-4 |
|
|
Plenary |
Key 5-8 |
|
9:15 – |
Coffee Break |
Key Ballroom Foyers |
|
9:45 – |
Lessons Learned from ACOs Who Submitted eCQMs and Medicare CQMs In this session, panelists will share their approaches to reporting eCQMs and Medicare CQMs as they prepare for the sunsetting of the Web Interface. ACOs will share an operational perspective and dive into the technical details of reporting to share lessons learned and what to avoid. They will also share data exchange strategies that can be used not only for quality reporting, but also to support accountable care arrangements outside of MSSP. |
Key 1-2 |
|
9:45 – |
Direct Contracting with Employers: Aligning Incentives Between Self-Insured Employers and VBC Organizations Direct Contracting between self-insured employers and value-based care organizations continues to gain momentum as it aligns incentives to improve member care and control medical expense. But it is not always easy and it is not always successful! The entity funding the coverage and the entity providing the care must agree on pricing, business terms and care expectations and do all of this in a way that allows for customization and recognizes market variables. In this session, we will hear from representatives from value-based care organizations and self-funded employers to learn practical considerations, essentials for success and how to assess fit for your organization. |
Key 3-4 |
|
9:45 – |
Perspectives on Prospective Payment: Lessons Learned in ACO REACH Learning Objectives:
|
Key 9-10 |
|
9:45 – |
CMS Townhall Moderator: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS |
Key 11-12 |
|
11:15 – |
Break |
Key Ballroom Foyers |
|
11:30 – |
The Baby-Boomer Tidal Wave — Are ACOs Enough to Help Health Systems Weather the Storm? Medicare is the fastest growing population across the country, creating an economic sustainability challenge for the Medicare trust and health systems who provide the highest levels of care for these members. For over a decade, ACOs and other value-based arrangements have offered a path to value for Medicare and MA, incentivizing proactive, preventative measures over fee for service acute and chronic care. Many believe this is the solution for the Medicare trust. But what is the effect on the delivery system? Some are investing in ACOs, population health services, and health plans. Others are canceling all MA contracts. Some are doing both. In this session we will explore the sustainability challenge facing delivery systems and plausible solutions from experts in this space. Learning Objectives:
|
Key 1-2 |
|
11:30 – |
Connecting ‘Z’ Dots: Advancing Statewide Health Equity through Screening and Coding for SDoH This session with demonstrate clinical applications for SDoH screening showcasing Z and G code capture. The ultimate goal being to improve patient outcomes with state-wide sustainable funding sources while scaling interventions across the ACO. Learning Objectives:
|
Key 3-4 |
|
11:30 – |
The Untapped Secret to ACO Success: Why Behavioral Health Holds the Key to Transformation Chair: Neelam Barr, Total Life Inc. Untreated depression among aging adults is not only a health crisis—it is a financial one. Approximately 20% of older adults experience mental health conditions, yet fewer than half receive treatment. The consequences extend to chronic disease management, cognitive decline, unplanned hospitalizations, and suboptimal ACO performance metrics. This panel features three chief medical officers from leading ACOs who will share their experiences in implementing behavioral health strategies that have successfully improved patient outcomes while reducing costs. Attendees will gain insight into why prioritizing mental health in older adults is essential and how timely interventions, including proactive detection during Annual Wellness Visits, can transform patient care and financial outcomes. Learning Objectives
|
Key 9-10 |
|
11:30 – |
New CEHRT Requirements for ACOs Chair: Megan Reyna, Bon Secours Mercy Health |
Key 11-12 |
|
1:00 – |
Closing Plenary Outlook for VBC: Policy and Politics Moderator: Aisha Pittman, NAACOS |
Key 5-8 |