AGENDA

The Managed Care Summit: Navigating What’s Next:

Policy, performance, and partnerships shaping the future of care

8:15 – 9 a.m.: Breakfast & Registration 

9 – 9:05 a.m.: Welcome!  

• Karen Granoff, Senior Director, Payer Relations and Managed Care Policy, Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association 

9:05 – 10:00 a.m.: The Big Pivot: The 2026 National Landscape: Positioning Yourself to Maximize Your Brand 

This keynote will explore how healthcare organizations can develop an authentic brand strategy and market positioning that builds patient trust, strengthens reputation, and supports long-term growth. Drawing on experience working with leading organizations, Kevin Thilborger of Unlocked Health will share practical insights on how healthcare leaders can clearly define their brand, communicate their value, and stand out in an increasingly competitive and complex healthcare environment. 

• Kevin Thilborger, Chief Revenue Strategy and Managed Care Officer, Unlock Health  

10 – 10:45 a.m.: AI in Healthcare, Part I: Today’s Regulatory Environment, Challenges and Opportunities  

This session will provide hospital leaders with an overview of the evolving state and federal regulatory landscape surrounding AI in healthcare. Speakers will examine emerging guardrails, governance frameworks, and compliance considerations, while highlighting potential challenges organizations may face as they evaluate and implement AI-driven tools. Participants will gain practical insights to help navigate regulatory expectations while responsibly leveraging AI to advance care delivery and operational performance. 

Panelists: 

• Doug Brown, Partner, Manatt  

• Randi Seigel, Partner, Manatt 

10:45 – 11 a.m.: BREAK 

11 – 11:45 a.m.: AI in Healthcare, Part II: From Strategy to Practice – AI in Utilization Management

In this session, ClarityCare CEO Hermine Tranie will discuss how health plans are using AI to support the adjudication of complex clinical cases in real time. She will also address the critical safeguards required to ensure accuracy, maintain inter-rater reliability, and preserve appropriate human oversight in the decision-making process. Hospital leaders will gain insight into how these technologies are being deployed today and what they may mean for payer-provider interactions moving forward.  

• Hermine Tranie, CEO, ClarityCare AI 

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Value-Based Contracting 

In this session, Foley & Lardner attorneys will discuss key considerations when entering into value-based contracts with health plans. The conversation will explore the potential benefits and risks of these arrangements, common contractual pitfalls, and practical strategies hospital leaders should keep in mind to protect their organizations while advancing value-based care. 

• Kinal Patel, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP

• Allie Shalom, Senior Counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP

• Lawrence W. Vernaglia, Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP

12:30 –1:15 p.m.: LUNCH 

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.: Fireside Chat: Strategic Collaborations Among Payers and Providers 

In this session, Jeff Leibach of BRC and Marc Spooner of .406 Ventures and Spooner Advisors will share insights on the evolving payer-provider landscape and discuss strategies for turning today’s pressures into productive collaboration. The conversation will focus on practical approaches to strengthening negotiations, aligning incentives, and building partnerships that support both financial sustainability and high-quality care. 

• Jeffrey Leibach, Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group  

• Marc Spooner, Executive in Residence, .406 Ventures 

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.: The Commonwealth Weighs In 

At a time when cost pressures and sustainability concerns are intensifying, this session will highlight how state leaders are working with healthcare stakeholders to address these challenges. HPC Executive Director David Seltz will discuss the Commission’s ongoing efforts to promote affordability and system accountability. Dr. Ryan Schwartz, Chief of the Office of Accountable Care and Behavioral Health at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, will share perspectives on how MassHealth is approaching these issues and advancing strategies to ensure a strong, sustainable program for the future. 

• Ryan Schwarz, M.D., Chief, Office of Accountable Care and Behavioral Health, Executive Office of Health and Human Services 

• David Seltz, Executive Director, Massachusetts Health Policy Commission 

3:20 p.m.: Next Steps