View 2025 Agenda | The Special Needs Plan Leadership Summit | A RISE Health Conference

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The RISE Special Needs Plans Leadership Summit
April 30 - May 2, 2025
Revere Hotel Boston Common

Agenda

Wednesday - April 30, 2025

12:00 PM 4:00 PM

11:00 AM 3:00 PM

10:00 AM 2:00 PM

9:00 AM 1:00 PM

Information Desk Opens

Assembly Foyer

1:00 PM 5:00 PM

12:00 PM 4:00 PM

11:00 AM 3:00 PM

10:00 AM 2:00 PM

Preconference Workshop: Building Special Needs Plans (SNPs) from the Ground Up: A Comprehensive Guide

Singlo, 6th Floor 

*Additional Registration Required

  • Review key benefits and challenges of launching an SNP 
  • Overview of types of SNPs: Dual Eligible (D-SNPs), Chronic Condition (C-SNPs), and Institutional (I-SNPs) 
  • Discuss Designing the Model of Care (MOC) 
  • Examine best practices for preparing for audits and maintaining compliance 
  • Define staffing needs for care coordination, compliance, and member services 
  • Implement technology and data systems to track member data, quality metrics, and compliance 
  • Develop outreach and enrollment strategies to attract and retain eligible member 
  • Draft an action plan outlining key next steps and timelines for launching an SNP in the final group activity 

Natasha VanWright, Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations 
Belong Health 

Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed, Principal  
VBC One 

Please Note: this workshop requires additional registration; a mid-afternoon refreshment is included.

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

4:00 PM 5:00 PM

3:00 PM 4:00 PM

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

Networking Cocktail Reception

Liberty Hall

Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers.

 

*Open to all conference attendees

Thursday - May 1, 2025

8:00 AM 4:00 PM

7:00 AM 3:00 PM

6:00 AM 2:00 PM

5:00 AM 1:00 PM

Information Desk Opens

Assembly Foyer

8:00 AM 9:00 AM

7:00 AM 8:00 AM

6:00 AM 7:00 AM

5:00 AM 6:00 AM

Networking Breakfast

Liberty Hall

8:00 AM 6:30 PM

7:00 AM 5:30 PM

6:00 AM 4:30 PM

5:00 AM 3:30 PM

Exhibit Hall Open

Liberty Hall

9:00 AM 9:10 AM

8:00 AM 8:10 AM

7:00 AM 7:10 AM

6:00 AM 6:10 AM

Welcome Remarks

Silver Ballroom

Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer  
Partners Health Plan 

Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed, Principal  
VBC One 

9:10 AM 10:00 AM

8:10 AM 9:00 AM

7:10 AM 8:00 AM

6:10 AM 7:00 AM

Adapting to Regulatory Changes: Strategies for Special Needs Plans and Member Care

Silver Ballroom

  • Examine recent regulatory changes and updates impacting SNPs, including implications for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNPs), and Institutional SNPs (I-SNPs) 
  • Understand how new rules and oversight from CMS are shaping benefit design, care coordination, and enrollment processes for SNPs 
  • Identify key challenges and opportunities arising from these regulations, with a focus on maintaining high-quality care for vulnerable populations 

Michael Cheek, President & CEO 
Special Needs Plan Alliance 

10:00 AM 10:50 AM

9:00 AM 9:50 AM

8:00 AM 8:50 AM

7:00 AM 7:50 AM

Voices from the Frontline: A Focus Group Discussion with Members of Special Needs Plans

Silver Ballroom

This session aims to give voice to those whose lived experiences are often overlooked in policy and healthcare discussions, providing valuable feedback for healthcare providers, nonprofits, insurers, and policymakers seeking to improve the care and services available to vulnerable populations. 

Through a facilitated focus group, individuals from diverse backgrounds will share their personal stories and insights on their experiences as members of special needs health plans and how these have shaped their health outcomes. 

Facilitated by:   
Shannon O’Connell, Associate Partner 
Engagys   

10:50 AM 11:10 AM

9:50 AM 10:10 AM

8:50 AM 9:10 AM

7:50 AM 8:10 AM

Networking Break

Liberty Hall

11:10 AM 12:00 PM

10:10 AM 11:00 AM

9:10 AM 10:00 AM

8:10 AM 9:00 AM

Quality Metrics and STAR Ratings: Driving Excellence in Special Needs Plans

Silver Ballroom

  • Explore the components of the STAR rating system most relevant to SNPs, including medication adherence, preventive care, and chronic disease management 
  • Develop targeted interventions to improve key metrics, such as reducing hospital readmissions, increasing medication adherence, and improving preventive care utilization 
  • Foster strong member engagement through clear communication, educational programs, and personalized outreach 

Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed, Principal  
VBC One 

Arlene Godinez, Senior Program Manager 
VBC One 

12:00 PM 1:15 PM

11:00 AM 12:15 PM

10:00 AM 11:15 AM

9:00 AM 10:15 AM

Networking Lunch

Liberty Hall

Concurrent Sessions 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM 12:15 PM - 1:00 PM 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM

Track A: Building for Success
Track Chair: Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer
Partners Health Plan 

Track B: Advancing Established Plans 
Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed, Principal  
VBC One 

Track Chairs:

1:15 PM 2:00 PM

12:15 PM 1:00 PM

11:15 AM 12:00 PM

10:15 AM 11:00 AM

Track A: Building for Success

Building Special Needs Plans: A Roadmap for Health Plans

Silver Ballroom

  • Explore the application and approval process with CMS, including essential steps, timelines, and compliance expectations  
  • Discuss strategies for integrating care models that align with SNP requirements, such as interdisciplinary care teams and health risk assessments  
  • Examine best practices for fostering partnerships with Medicaid agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers to ensure seamless member support 

Jill Sumner, Principal  
Lyle Health LLC  

Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer  
Partners Health Plan 

1:15 PM 2:00 PM

12:15 PM 1:00 PM

11:15 AM 12:00 PM

10:15 AM 11:00 AM

Track B: Advancing Established Plans

Palliative Care Strategies for Special Needs Plans

Singlo, 6th Floor 

  • Create a methodology to identify enrollees with palliative needs early in their disease trajectory 
  • Describe the role of symptom burden in health service utilization, along with symptom assessment in plan operations 
  • Discover three strategies to optimize the care of enrollees with serious illness 

Allison Silvers, Chief Health Care Transformation Officer 
Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) 

2:00 PM 2:05 PM

1:00 PM 1:05 PM

12:00 PM 12:05 PM

11:00 AM 11:05 AM

Session Transition

Concurrent Sessions 2:05 PM - 2:50 PM 1:05 PM - 1:50 PM 12:05 PM - 12:50 PM 11:05 AM - 11:50 AM

Track A: Building for Success
Track Chair: Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer
Partners Health Plan 

Track B: Advancing Established Plans 
Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed, Principal  
VBC One 

Track Chairs:

2:05 PM 2:50 PM

1:05 PM 1:50 PM

12:05 PM 12:50 PM

11:05 AM 11:50 AM

Track A: Building for Success

Building a Strong Model of Care: Foundations for Success

Silver Ballroom

  • Understand the essential components of the MOC, including HRAs, ICPs, and ICTs, and how each contributes to comprehensive care coordination 
  • Explore CMS compliance requirements for the MOC, including scoring guidelines, submission processes, and evaluation criteria to ensure approval and successful audits  
  • Examine real-world examples and case studies of successful MOC implementation to identify actionable insights and avoid common pitfalls 

 

Caroline Wilson McDonald, Principal 
Prizm Health Advisory 

Sarah Ferguson, MPH, Program Director, Special Needs Plans  
Devoted Health 

2:05 PM 2:50 PM

1:05 PM 1:50 PM

12:05 PM 12:50 PM

11:05 AM 11:50 AM

Track B: Advancing Established Plans

Driving Quality Improvement: Lessons from High-Performing Plans

Singlo, 6th Floor 

  • Learn how high-performing SNPs leverage data analytics to identify and address gaps in care, track performance metrics, and measure the effectiveness of interventions 
  • Examine best practices for improving STAR ratings, including targeted strategies to enhance member engagement, and preventive care outcomes 
  • Explore innovative approaches to managing chronic conditions, reducing hospital readmissions, and addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) 

Elizabeth Sutton, MPH, Risk Management Lead | Care Management Risk  
Humana  

Mary Clare DuRocher, Vice President, Strategic Accounts 
SafeRide Health 

2:50 PM 3:10 PM

1:50 PM 2:10 PM

12:50 PM 1:10 PM

11:50 AM 12:10 PM

Networking Break

Liberty Hall

3:10 PM 4:00 PM

2:10 PM 3:00 PM

1:10 PM 2:00 PM

12:10 PM 1:00 PM

Integration of D-SNPs and Medicaid: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategies for Success

Silver Ballroom

  • Examine successful models of Medicaid and Medicare integration, highlighting lessons learned from states leading the way in fully integrated D-SNPs 
  • Explore the operational challenges of aligning benefits, care management systems, and administrative processes to comply with integration requirements 
  • Address common issues such as handling separate payer and provider networks, aligning formularies, and reconciling differences in eligibility and billing systems 

Caroline Yaun, Senior Consultant, Clinical 
Rebellis Group, LLC 

Sharon Williams, Health Plan President 
University of Michigan Health Plan 

4:00 PM 4:50 PM

3:00 PM 3:50 PM

2:00 PM 2:50 PM

1:00 PM 1:50 PM

Chronic Conditions and the Regulatory Landscape: The Case of Ozempic and Beyond

Silver Ballroom

  • Examine the potential implications for SNPs if treatments like Ozempic prove effective in managing or "curing" type 2 diabetes, reshaping care models and member needs
  • Consider the fiscal challenges of covering widespread treatment, including how plans can balance innovation with cost-effectiveness 
  • Analyze uncertainties related to member enrollment and cost structures as new therapies gain traction and demand increases 

Eli Goldberg, VP of Data and Innovation 
Belle 

Sharon Williams, Health Plan President 
University of Michigan Health Plan 

4:50 PM 5:00 PM

3:50 PM 4:00 PM

2:50 PM 3:00 PM

1:50 PM 2:00 PM

Closing Remarks

Silver Ballroom

Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer  
Partners Health Plan 

Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed, Principal  
VBC One 

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

4:00 PM 5:00 PM

3:00 PM 4:00 PM

2:00 PM 3:00 PM

Networking Cocktail Reception

Liberty Hall

Join us for face-to-face networking with peers over drinks and hors d’oeuvres, included in your event registration.

Friday - May 2, 2025

8:00 AM 11:00 AM

7:00 AM 10:00 AM

6:00 AM 9:00 AM

5:00 AM 8:00 AM

Information Desk Opens

Assembly Foyer

8:00 AM 9:00 AM

7:00 AM 8:00 AM

6:00 AM 7:00 AM

5:00 AM 6:00 AM

Networking Breakfast

Liberty Hall

8:00 AM 1:00 PM

7:00 AM 12:00 PM

6:00 AM 11:00 AM

5:00 AM 10:00 AM

Exhibit Hall Open

Liberty Hall

9:00 AM 9:10 AM

8:00 AM 8:10 AM

7:00 AM 7:10 AM

6:00 AM 6:10 AM

Welcome Remarks and Day One Takeaways

Silver Ballroom

Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer  
Partners Health Plan 

Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed, Principal  
VBC One 

9:10 AM 10:00 AM

8:10 AM 9:00 AM

7:10 AM 8:00 AM

6:10 AM 7:00 AM

Leveraging AI and New Technology in SNP Operations

Silver Ballroom

  • Evaluate the potential applications of AI in managing SNPs, including care coordination, risk stratification, and predictive analytic 
  • Assess opportunities for streamlining operations and improving care management 
  • Discuss CMS concerns regarding the use of AI in utilization management, particularly around transparency, fairness, and member impact 

Moderator 
Caroline Wilson McDonald, Principal 
Prizm Health Advisory 

Panelists  
Natasha VanWright, Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations 
Belong Health 

Eli Goldberg, VP of Data and Innovation 
Belle 

10:00 AM 10:50 AM

9:00 AM 9:50 AM

8:00 AM 8:50 AM

7:00 AM 7:50 AM

Innovative Strategies for Driving Quality while Managing Costs

Silver Ballroom

  • Target utilization that drives member satisfaction and health outcomes  
  • Implement value-based care models that incentivize providers to focus on quality outcomes over volume, reducing costs while improving care 
  • Adopt innovative tools such as telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and predictive analytics to enhance care delivery and control costs 

Doug Golub, Principal Consultant 
Data Potato LLC 

Dr. Alan Kimmel, Chief Medical Officer
Provider Partners Health Plans

10:50 AM 11:20 AM

9:50 AM 10:20 AM

8:50 AM 9:20 AM

7:50 AM 8:20 AM

Networking Break

Liberty Hall

Concurrent Sessions 11:20 AM - 12:10 PM 10:20 AM - 11:10 AM 9:20 AM - 10:10 AM 8:20 AM - 9:10 AM

Track A: Building for Success
Track Chair: Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer
Partners Health Plan 

Track B: Advancing Established Plans 
Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, MBA, M.Ed., M.Ed, Principal  
VBC One 

Track Chairs:

11:20 AM 12:10 PM

10:20 AM 11:10 AM

9:20 AM 10:10 AM

8:20 AM 9:10 AM

Track A: Building for Success

Communication Strategies for SNP Members: Overcoming Barriers and Driving Engagement

Silver Ballroom

  • Examine innovative communication tools and platforms, such as telehealth, mobile apps, and automated reminders, to improve outreach and engagement  
  • Identify key metrics for measuring the effectiveness of communication strategies, including member satisfaction, engagement rates, and quality outcome  
  • Explore proven strategies for communicating with SNP members, including tailoring messages to diverse populations 

Bill Friedman, VP of Payer Engagement 
Wider Circle 

Kaitlin Mayhew, Senior Director, Product Development  
Curana Health Plans 

11:20 AM 12:10 PM

10:20 AM 11:10 AM

9:20 AM 10:10 AM

8:20 AM 9:10 AM

Track B: Advancing Established Plans

Incorporating Caregiver and Cultural Preferences into SNP Operations

Singlo, 6th Floor 

  • Learn strategies to incorporate caregiver input into ICPs while addressing potential privacy concerns and maintaining compliance with HIPAA guidelines 
  • Address challenges such as caregiver burnout and lack of resources, and discuss how SNPs can provide education, training, and support  
  • Discover actionable steps for incorporating cultural awareness and sensitivity into care delivery, member communication, and staff training 

Jill Sumner, Principal  
Lyle Health LLC  

Jennifer Rucci, MD, President of the Eventus Institute
Eventus WholeHealth 

12:10 PM 1:10 PM

11:10 AM 12:10 PM

10:10 AM 11:10 AM

9:10 AM 10:10 AM

Networking Lunch

Liberty Hall

1:10 PM 2:00 PM

12:10 PM 1:00 PM

11:10 AM 12:00 PM

10:10 AM 11:00 AM

Supporting Members with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in SNPs

Silver Ballroom

  • Address challenges in creating individualized care plans (ICPs) that accommodate complex conditions, communication barriers, and co-occurring health issues 
  • Explore the specific healthcare and support needs of members with IDD, including behavioral health considerations, care coordination, and access to specialized services 
  • Incorporate social determinants of health (SDOH) into care strategies, addressing barriers such as housing, transportation, and access to community resources 

Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer  
Partners Health Plan 

Doug Golub, Principal Consultant 
Data Potato LLC 

2:00 PM 2:50 PM

1:00 PM 1:50 PM

12:00 PM 12:50 PM

11:00 AM 11:50 AM

Industry Leader Conclusion Panel: Lessons Learned

Silver Ballroom

  • Share perspectives on emerging trends and innovations that are shaping the future of SNPs and member support 
  • Discuss challenges and opportunities in implementing regulatory changes, with insights from industry leaders on best practices 
  • Reflect on key takeaways from the conference, highlighting successful strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of SNPs 

Moderator 
Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer  
Partners Health Plan 

Gretchen Wagner, Associate Vice President, Risk Management 
Humana 

Sarah Ferguson, MPH, Program Director, Special Needs Plans  
Devoted Health 

Dr. Alan Kimmel, Chief Medical Officer
Provider Partners Health Plans

 

2:50 PM 3:00 PM

1:50 PM 2:00 PM

12:50 PM 1:00 PM

11:50 AM 12:00 PM

Closing Remarks

Silver Ballroom

Courtney Skivington, RN, Chief Operating Officer  
Partners Health Plan