Event Recap: Medicare Advantage Summit Conference – Day 1
The summit is the only event that brings together plans, providers, patients, and government to improve quality, cost, and access to Medicare Advantage. The summit started with a preconference on May 16, 2018 that focused on the new Medicare Advantage rule with topics such as telehealth developments, new supplemental benefit policy, star-rating methodology and other predominant topics in the field. The conference resumed on May 17, 2018, with a general conference, which included three speakers and four panels followed by sixteen mini summits highlighting top issues with experts on each topic around the private and public sectors.
Key Takeaways:
- Congresswoman Allyson Y. Schwartz spoke about a vision for modern Medicare Advantage and introduced Better Medicare Alliance
- Steve Nelson spoke on the importance of transportation as a benefit because 3.5 million Americans miss or delay medical care because of lack of transportation and the idea of having care in a different setting or on the go as an expectation for seniors now
- The first panel focused on the policies and politics of Medicare Advantage. This was an off the record panel.
- The second panel on Starts Ratings talked about doing a better job of addressing duals in the Stars Ratings, drive better outcomes, and reduce cost. Also, on the importance of beneficiaries satisfaction.
- Fran Soistman with Aetna said EGWPs have grown over the past 8 years and moving forward there are growth opportunities. Focusing on how EGWPs offer employers flexibility to maintain consistent retiree coverage while lowering immediate costs and long-term liability and help retirees spend less out-of-pocket and access to health & wellness programs above regular Medicare coverage.
- The third panel focused on Employer Group Waiver Plans. The panelist mentioned how they are satisfied with the effectiveness of EGWPs and its advancement in recent years. Still, they could improve on the fraction between the payer and the provider.
- Panel 4 discussed medical groups and MA plans: what do groups need to succeed. The panelist talked about flexibility, the importance of organizing around primary physician care and care teams and transitioning into more sustainable payment models.
Speakers
Opening Remarks
Allyson Y. Schwartz – President and Chief Executive Officer, Better Medicare Alliance
Keynote Speaker
Steve Nelson, MBA, MHSA – Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealthCare Inc.
Trends and Value of Employer Group Waiver Plans
Fran Soistman, DHL- Executive Vice President and Head of Government Services, Aetna
Panel 1: The Policies and Politics of Medicare Advantage
Joseph Antos, PhD – Wilson H. Taylor Scholar in Health Care and Retirement Policy, American Enterprise Institute (AEI)
Melanie Egorin, PhD- Professional Staff, Committee on Ways and Means
Chris Jennings- President and Founder, Jennings Policy Strategies, Inc
Nicholas Uehlecke- Professional Staff Member (R), Subcommittee on Health
Dan Mendelson, MPP- President, Avalere Health (Moderator)
Panel 2: Stars Ratings
Paul Cotton- Director of Federal Affairs, NCQA
John Gorman- Founder and Executive Chairman, Gorman Health Group
Mark Newsom, MSc- Vice President, Public Policy Analysis, Humana
Paul Wimer, MBA- Chief Innovation Officer, Tivity Health
Susan Dentzer- President and Chief Executive Officer, NEHI (The Network for Excellence in Health Innovation) (Moderator)
Panel 3: Employer Group Waiver Plans
Cary Badger, MBA- Principal, HealthScape Advisors LLC
Fran Soistman, DHL- Executive Vice President and Head of Government Services, Aetna
Thomas E. Hutchinson, MPA- Strategic Advisor, EBG Advisors (Moderator)
Panel 4: Medical Groups and MA Plans: What Do Groups Need to Succeed
Beth Honan, MHA- Chief Contracting Officer, Atrius Health
Tricia Nguyen, MD, MBA- Chief Medical Officer, Inova
Aric Sharp, MHA, CMPE, FACHE- Vice President, Accountable Care
Jerry Penso, MD, MBA- President and Chief Executive Officer, AMGA (Moderator)
To view event photos here.
Twitter report – MA Summit.pdf
