View Agenda
Explore the schedule of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities planned for Dec. 14-16 in Scottsdale
Register to Attend ⭐
Monday - December 14, 2026
12:00 PM
12:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Information Desk Open
1:00 PM
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Workshop A: Stars 101: Building a Foundation for Star Ratings Success
- Understand the purpose of the Star Ratings program and how ratings affect quality bonus payments, rebates, enrollment, and contract viability
- Identify the core measure categories and their data sources, including HEDIS, CAHPS, HOS, Part D, and administrative measures
- Follow the annual Stars timeline, from measurement periods and data submission to CMS rulemaking and ratings release
- Explore the basics of how measures roll up into an overall rating, including weighting, cut points, and key methodology concepts
- Recognize how different departments contribute to Stars performance and where cross-functional collaboration matters most
- Build a working vocabulary of essential Stars terms and acronyms
- Connect foundational knowledge to the regulatory changes and strategy discussions covered throughout the master class
Break 2:30PM - 3:00PM
Speaker
Melissa Newton Smith
Founder, Senior Advisor at Newton Smith Group
Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Workshop B: Navigating the New Reality of Medicare Advantage: What CMS’s Newly Proposed Rule Means for Your Path Forward for Star Ratings Success
- Get clear on what REALLY happened with the Stars 2027 results, and how CMS’s newly released proposed rule reshapes the path ahead
- Learn how to leverage the 5-weighted QI measures for optimized scores
- Explore a year in the life of a seasoned Stars leader (or at least half a year)
- Unpack effective target setting
- Understand MA market dynamics and how the proposed rules refocus on clinical care, outcomes, experience - and potential new C-SNP requirements in the only growing segment of MA – may influence Stars strategy and long-term contract viability
- Deep dive into Part D pressures and strategic responses
- Translate insight to action, by building a solid Stars strategy for the program as it exists today, and a flexible, durable framework that can adapt as measurement rules, methodology and realities shift over time
Break 2:30PM - 3:00PM
Speaker
Rebekah Dube
Principal at Press Ganey’s Stars Center of Excellence
Speaker
Caroline Yaun
VP, Sr. Principal, Strategic Consulting at Press Ganey’s Stars Center of Excellence
Speaker
Dan Ready
Enterprise Strategy at Press Ganey
5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Holiday Cocktail Reception
Throw your tacky holiday sweater in your suitcase and join us for festive cocktails, tasty hors d'oeuvres, and plenty of networking cheer! Included in your event registration.
Tuesday - December 15, 2026
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Information Desk Open
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM
9:00 AM – 9:05 AM
Welcome Remarks
9:05 AM
9:05 AM – 10:00 AM
Opening Address
To be announced
10:00 AM
10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
State of Play: Where the Star Ratings Litigation Stands Today
- Assess whether your plan may have grounds to challenge its 2027 rating, drawing on the arguments, timelines, and outcomes to date in the Clover, Elevance, SCAN, and Alignment cases
- Identify which measures are in dispute and why courts have ruled them unlawful in the current cases
- Anticipate the range of likely outcomes (continued uncertainty, plans win, CMS wins) and what each means for your contract
Speaker
Nick Bath
Partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
10:50 AM
10:50 AM – 11:15 AM
Networking Break
11:15 AM
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Track 1
Measure-by-Measure: Tailoring Strategy Across CAHPS, HOS, and Beyond
- Differentiate the strategic levers available for survey-based measures (CAHPS, HOS) versus clinical measures
- Match intervention types to the specific measure category they're intended to move
- Prioritize measure-specific investments based on weight and improvement potential
Speaker
Anissa Johnson
Manager, Quality Practice Advisors at Wellcare
Speaker
Suze Cucci
Executive Programs Officer at Pyx Health
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Track 2
Data Differences, Measure Specifications, and the D-SNP Landscape
- Identify where specification differences create gaps in data capture, reporting, and performance tracking
- Examine NCQA accreditation requirements for D-SNP plans and how their rating measures differ from CMS Stars
- Assess the operational and strategic implications for plans entering or expanding in D-SNP markets
Speaker
Tina Dueringer, BSN, RN, CCM, PCC
CEO, Principal Advisor at Dueringer Advisors
12:00 PM
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
Track 1
Tools & Technology Spotlight
Leading service providers will showcase their offerings in a quick-pitch setting. Evaluate the latest and greatest tech tools to bring back to your organization.
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
Track 2
Tools & Technology Spotlight
Leading service providers will showcase their offerings in a quick-pitch setting. Evaluate the latest and greatest tech tools to bring back to your organization.
12:15 PM
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch
1:15 PM
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Track 1
Thriving Amidst Volatile Cutpoints and Performance Pressure
- Set MY2027 targets that account for cut point compression, and put resources on the measures where a small rate change moves the star rating
- Critique the limitations of relying on static "projected cutpoint" models, given their track record of failing to predict actual results in recent years
- Anticipate the tradeoff between short-term performance gains and long-term improvement-measure exposure
Speaker
Hiram Perez
Chief Executive Officer at Ingenia Health
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Track 2
What's Actually Working: A Health Plan Panel on Improving Star Ratings
- Apply tactics that moved specific measures at peer plans, using the results, cost and staffing data panelists share
- Distinguish between tactics that produced measurable results and those that didn't scale
- Translate panelists' real-world examples into actions applicable to your own plan
Speaker
Jesse Hayman
Chief Growth Officer at Greenspace Health
Speaker
Shawna Papach
LPN, Director of HEDIS and Payer Strategies at MCR Health
Speaker
Mark Hassenstab
VP of Stars, Quality, and Risk Adjustment at Curana Health
2:00 PM
2:00 PM – 2:05 PM
Session Transition
2:05 PM
2:05 PM – 2:50 PM
Track 1
Stars Scenarios: Forecasting Initiative Lift, Predicting Performance, and Identifying Gaps in Your Quality Strategy
- Estimate the measure-level lift of planned quality initiatives using historical performance, member reach, and realistic intervention success rates
- Build best, expected- and worst-case scenarios to predict your overall Star Rating before results are released
- Pinpoint gaps where current initiatives fall short of the performance needed to reach your target rating
Speaker
Jordan Fry
Business Analyst IV, Quality & Process Improvement at Meridian Health Plan
Speaker
Andrea Brambila
Director, Quality & Process Improvement at Meridian Health Plan
2:05 PM – 2:50 PM
Track 2
The CY2028 Proposed Rule: What It Means for Your Stars Strategy
- Examine the proposed (or anticipated) changes to measures, weighting, cut points, and methodology
- Assess the potential impact on ratings, quality bonus payments, and long-term planning
- Identify which proposals are likely to shift before finalization and plan for multiple outcomes
Speaker
Lisa Winters
Consulting Actuary at Wakely
Speaker
Suzanna-Grace Tritt
Senior Consulting Actuary at Wakely
2:50 PM
2:50 PM – 3:15 PM
Networking Break
3:15 PM
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Track 1
Beyond Adherence: Why Medication Safety Is Becoming a Stars Strategy
- Assign pharmacy and quality staff to one medication plan per member that addresses adherence, statin and polypharmacy measures together
- Evaluate operational approaches for moving from individual-measure management to whole-member medication strategy
- Apply lessons from health plan pharmacy leadership on translating measures into day-to-day operations
Speaker
Kempton Presley
CEO at AdhereHealth
Speaker
Ryan Bernstein
Sr. Consultant, Medicare Lead at RWC
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Track 2
Behavioral Health in Stars: Closing the Gap Between Measures and Member Experience
- Identify the core behavioral health measures in the current Star Ratings program and how they're weighted relative to clinical and experience measures
- Connect behavioral health performance to downstream member experience outcomes, including CAHPS and HOS survey results
- Prepare for the Depression Screening and Follow-up measure before MY2027 begins
Speaker
Michelle Hoy
Co-Founder & Head of Clinical Operations at Vitalic
Speaker
Kyra Valdez-Shipp
CEO/Founder at Peak Performance Solutions Group
4:00 PM
4:00 PM – 4:05 PM
Session Transition
4:05 PM
4:05 PM – 4:55 PM
Where Are We Now? The Post-Midterm Stars Policy Landscape
- Evaluate how the post-midterm balance of power affects MA and Stars policy priorities
- Track the status of pending bills and proposals targeting Stars and quality bonus payments
- Recognize which think tank and MedPAC recommendations are gaining traction on the Hill and at CMS
Speaker
Andrew Schwab
Founder & CEO at Platform Government Strategies
Speaker
Tommy Barletta
Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Aldis Institutional
4:55 PM
4:55 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks
5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Networking Cocktail Reception
Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers.
Wednesday - December 16, 2026
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Information Desk Open
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM
9:00 AM – 9:05 AM
Welcome Remarks and Day One Takeaways
9:05 AM
9:05 AM – 9:50 AM
The 2027 Redesign: What's Really Changing and Why the 'Security Blanket' Is Gone
- Itemize the confirmed 2027 measure changes, including which measures are being removed, added, or respecified, and on what timeline
- Interpret the technical proposals and rule changes underlying the redesign, distinguishing finalized changes from ones still in circulation as rumor or outdated guidance
- Track how cut points are shifting under the redesign and what that means for the margin of error plans have historically relied on
Speaker
Melissa Newton Smith
Founder, Senior Advisor at Newton Smith Group
Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
9:50 AM
9:50 AM – 10:50 AM
Medicare Masters III: The Ultimate Star Rating Showdown
Medicare Masters is back by popular demand with even more excitement and challenges! Join us for an engaging and educational experience designed for Star Rating professionals and enthusiasts alike. This interactive activity provides a unique opportunity to delve into the world of Medicare Advantage plan management in a fun and collaborative environment.
This year, participants will have the chance to silo-bust their way to 5 stars and compete for year-long bragging rights and a trophy in the third edition of Medicare Masters! The competition will be tougher than ever, with twists, turns, and a bit of calamity, ensuring a thrilling experience for all. Participants will leave with a greater understanding of how to navigate the 2028 Star Ratings, along with valuable insights and a recap of what Stars teams experienced in 2026. Don't miss out on this chance to learn, compete, and have fun!
Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
Speaker
Jenn Kerfoot
President and Chief Operating Officer at DUOS
10:50 AM
10:50 AM – 11:15 AM
Networking Break
11:15 AM
11:15 AM – 12:05 PM
Breaking Down the Silo: Aligning Quality and Risk Adjustment Programs
- Diagnose the root causes of organizational silos between quality and risk adjustment teams
- Describe how aligning these functions can fund STARS initiatives through timely risk adjustment revenue
- Design a unified approach to shared processes (e.g., a single chart review vendor, coordinated Annual Wellness Visit agendas)
Speaker
Savannah Gonsalves
Director of Quality & Utilization Management, Nevada at Kaiser Permanente
Speaker
Mark Hassenstab
VP of Stars, Quality, and Risk Adjustment at Curana Health
Speaker
Kimberly Swanson
Chief Strategy Officer at Healthmine
12:05 PM
12:05 PM – 12:55 PM
Changing Provider & Member Behavior: What Actually Moves the Needle on Stars
- Weigh the pros and cons of value-based care arrangements and risk-bearing entities as levers for Stars performance improvement
- Adapt provider engagement strategies for non-Epic environments where standard data integration approaches don't apply
- Identify the specific operational barriers rural and paper-chart providers face, and design outreach that accounts for those constraints
Moderator, Speaker
Jeremy Combs
US Market Lead - Health Plans at PlanPlus by Curant Health
Speaker
Jatin Dave
Chief Medical Officer, Government Products at UPMC Health Plan
Speaker
Amanda Anstett
Sr. Manager MA & FEP Quality Improvement Programs at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Speaker
Jodi Haddad
Staff VP Medicare & FEP Quality at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
12:55 PM
12:55 PM – 1:00 PM
Closing Remarks
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