NOTE: Click titles to expand agenda
- TAHP Board Meeting
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 400 (4th Floor)
This is a private meeting for TAHP board members and their designees only.
- Exhibitor Move In
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom H-K (6th Floor)
All exhibitors are allowed to move in and set up their booths. Set up must be complete by 11am on Monday.
- Early Registration Reception
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom Foyer (6th Floor)
Get a jump on making those connections. Join TAHP staff and board members for some light hors d'oeuvres and cocktails before we kick off the conference.
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- Exhibitor Move In
7:00 AM - 10: 00 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom H-K (6th Floor)
All exhibitors are allowed to move in and set up their booths. Set up must be complete by 11am.
- Registration Desk Open
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom Foyer (6th Floor)
Sponsored by:

- Opening Remarks & Introductions
9:55 AM - 10:00 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F & G (6th Floor)

Jamie Dudensing
CEO, Texas Association of Health Plans
- Mike Allen⎪Opening Keynote: Smart Brevity
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F & G (6th Floor)
The Power of Saying More with Less. One of the key components to Axios quickly becoming a powerhouse media company is “Smart Brevity,” the transformative approach for punching through the noise to get people to pay attention to what matters most in your message. In this talk, Axios co-founder Mike Allen shares powerful communications lessons from his decades of experience in media, business, and communications, while providing the essential outline for how Smart Brevity can be implemented into any message in a concise and visual format to elevate its impact.

Mike Allen
Co-founder and Executive Editor, Axios

Introduction: Dave Sozinho
Vice President - Health Plan Sales, Express Scripts
- Marshall Allen⎪The Consumer-Driven Disruption of the Health Care Status Quo
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F & G (6th Floor)
Health care costs are unsustainable for working Americans and continue to climb. But David can beat Goliath. Across the country, savvy employers and consumers are shunning the same old-same old to deliver better benefits at a much lower cost. The only question is how fast it can scale and how far it can spread.

Marshall Allen
Founder, Allen Health Academy

Introduction: Faith Saporsantos, MSN, MHA, RN, CRRN
Director, Healthcare Consulting Practice, Mazars, US
- Lone Star Networking Lunch with Exhibitors
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom H-K (6th Floor)
Meet the exhibitors and other attendees in the expo hall for a taste of The Lone Star State.
- Health Plan CEOs⎪The Path Forward for Health Care Coverage
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom F & G (6th Floor)
Join us for three big questions with the CEOs: What is happening? What do you expect to happen? And what should be happening?

Dave Milich
Chief Executive Officer - Texas/Oklahoma Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare

Alessa Quase
Executive Vice President & Chief Insurance Officer, Oscar Health

Jim Springfield
President, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Frederick Turner
Chief Executive Officer, Curative

Moderator: Jared Landris
Managing Director, The Advisory Board
- Paul Keckley⎪US Healthcare: Looking Ahead
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom F & G (6th Floor)
Healthcare issues are key to the November 8 elections and will loom large in Campaign 2024. Many of these are divisive, most are complicated and all involve economic consequences to households, communities, employers and government. In this discussion, we'll look ahead to the future of the U.S. health system and the changes and opportunities in its accessibility, affordability and quality.

Paul Keckley
PhD, Managing Editor, The Keckley Report

Introduction: Jessica Huebner
Director, Berkeley Research Group
- Jim Henson⎪The 2022 Elections Update and the 2023 Texas Legislature Forecast
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom F & G (6th Floor)
James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project and expert on the state’s political landscape, will provide perspective on the November election. He’ll be joined by political veteran Billy Phenix to discuss how election results are likely to affect the legislative agenda this upcoming session and what that means for health care policy.

Jim Henson
Professor, University of Texas

Moderator: Billy Phenix
Principal, Phenix-Saenz, LLC
- Texas Legislators⎪Under the Dome: A Preview of the 88th Texas Legislative Session
4:00 PM -4:45 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom F & G (6th Floor)
Several leading voices from the Texas Legislature will discuss the politics, challenges and opportunities facing the upcoming 88th Texas Legislative Session.

Representative James Frank
Texas House of Representatives, District 69

Senator Nathan Johnson
Texas Senate, District 16

Representative Stephanie Klick
Texas House of Representatives, District 91

Senator Charles Perry
Texas Senate, District 28

Moderator: Eric Glenn
Vice President, Business Development, Superior HealthPlan
- Welcome Reception⎪Everyone Invited
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom H-J (6th Floor)
Come on down to the Expo Hall for a vibrant end to the first day of Texas Covered. Network with peers and industry leaders over small bites and cocktails, visit booths to engage with the latest in health care products and services, and snag a chance at door prizes!
- VIP Dinner⎪By Invitation Only
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
The Eberly, 615 S. Lamar, Austin, TX
FORGED FROM AN OLD PRINT SHOP ON SOUTH LAMAR, EBERLY IS A THOUGHTFUL COLLECTION OF DINING, DRINKING AND THINKING SPACES .Austin has always been a gathering place for risk takers, creative types and liberated thinkers to connect and feed off each other’s energy and creativity. Eberly has distilled that spirit into one distinctively authentic place. Join TAHP for a fun night of food, drink and networking.
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- Power Hour Breakfast
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom H-K Foyer (6th Floor)
Power Networking Breakfast is a great way to meet new people and begin new business connections in a casual atmosphere!
- Registration Desk Open
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom Foyer (6th Floor)
Sponsored by:

- Ahead of the Curve: Navigating the No Surprises Act
8:00 AM - 8: 50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
The No Surprises Act dramatically changed the health plan regulatory landscape. Join this panel for a discussion about pain points and lessons learned, including how health plans can use data and technology to make compliance easier, reduce disruption, and enhance the patient experience.

C.J. Ehrentraut
Manager- Healthcare Consulting, Mazars US

Susan Mohler
SVP, Marketing and Product Development, MultiPlan

Jessica Smith
Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group

Moderator: Nick Welle
Partner, Foley & Lardner
- Taking on One of the Biggest Drivers of Health Inequity Today
8:00 AM - 8: 50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
The greatest marker of health inequity is the diabetic amputation. Many complex diabetes patients struggle to afford a healthy diet, are unable to pay for their medication, and lack transportation.h. These members are oftentimes mislabeled as the "poorly compliant patient" - yet, it's our healthcare system that is failing them. Let's review how one Texas Plan plan is addressing this debilitating and costly complication.

Jon Bloom, MD
CEO, Podimetrics
- Drive Growth and Retention With Comprehensive Fertility and Family-Forming Benefits
8:00 AM - 8: 50 AM
Room 616 A&B (6th Floor)
Demand for fertility and family-forming coverage from employers and members is on the rise. Groups are looking to health plans for the solution. Learn how health plans can respond proactively in order to drive growth, support DEI initiatives, and maximize outcomes.

Alex Gibbs
Director of Health Plan Partnerships, Carrot Fertility

Scott Williamson
AVP National Health Plans, Carrot Fertility

Introduction: William Brendel, MD
Molina Healthcare of Texas
- Primary Care May Be the ‘Next Big Thing’
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
New models of primary care will capture 30% of the US market by 2030. Join this panel for a discussion about new models for primary care and how they can become the norm in Texas as well as legislative barriers that stand in the way.

Juliet Breeze, MD
CEO, Next Level Medical

Monica Garza, MPA
Sales and Community Relations Leader, H-E-B Wellness Primary Care

Rachael Padget
Attorney, Mitchell Williams Law Firm

Moderator: Dan McCoy, MD
Principal, Dan McCoy Consulting
- Addressing Patient Centered Care with Specialty Medication Programs
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
Patients are, and should always, be at the center of our health care system. All aspects of the health care system must be personalized to patient needs, especially their ability to access care when and where they need.

Joshua Fredell, PharmD
Vice President and Head of PBM and Specialty Product Innovation, CVS Health

Introduction: Allen Horne
Government Affairs, CVS Health
- Improving Health Outcomes for the Most Vulnerable of Medicaid Managed Care Members
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Room 616 A&B (6th Floor)
Dan Trigub, co-founder and CEO of MedArrive, and Dr. Jerry Allison, Medical Director of Molina Healthcare of Texas, will speak about managing and navigating the intricacies of health care while more effectively connecting the vulnerable health plan members with the resources they need to improve their health outcomes so they can avoid visits to emergency rooms and other preventable events.

Jerry Allison
Medical Director, Molina Healthcare of Texas

Dan Trigub
CEO and Co-founder, MedArrive

Introduction: Cindy Fortress
Sr. Program Manager, Health Plan Operations, Molina HealthCare of Texas
- Texas Medicaid: What to Expect Moving Forward
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
Join us for an update from the Texas Medicaid Director and the Texas Medicaid leadership team on HHSCs priorities for Texas Medicaid and Medicaid managed care, including the 2023 Legislative Session

Dana Collins
Deputy Executive Commissioner for Operations, Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Shannon Kelley
Deputy Executive Commissioner for Managed Care, Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Valerie Mayes
Deputy Executive Commissioner for Policy and Quality, Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Stephanie Stephens
Chief Medicaid and CHIP Services Officer, Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Dr. Ryan Van Ramshorst
Chief Medical Director, Medicaid/CHIP Services, Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Emily Zalkovsky
Deputy State Medicaid Director, Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Moderator: Stephanie Muth
Principal, Stephanie Muth Consulting
- Gold Carding: One Step Toward Reducing Provider Burden
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
A look at Gold Carding, its pending impact on Health Plans & Payers, how it differs from Auto Approvals, and catalysts that are driving and accelerating new mandates at federal and state levels.

Scott Martin
President, Catalyst Solutions

Introduction: Julie Vinson
Director, State Government and External Affairs, AmeriHealth Caritas
- Achieving the Triple Aim: Innovative Solutions to Improve Population Health While Controlling Costs
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Room 616 A&B (6th Floor)
Today health care companies are rapidly implementing new solutions to improve care coordination, connect members to both medical and social resources, and control costs through better member health outcomes.This panel will explore innovative tools and strategies that contribute to cost-efficient and higher quality health care.

Caitlin Donovan
General Manager, Uber Health

Sharity Ludwig, EPDH, MS
Director, Alternative Care Models, DentaQuest

Alycia Sepe, BSN, RN
VP Business Development, Bamboo Health

Moderator: Karl Serrao, MD, MBA, FAAP, FCCM
Chief Medical Officer, Driscoll Health Plan
- Can Price Transparency Drive Lower Prices? Updates and Implications of the New Price Transparency Laws
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
A panel of experts will provide perspectives on their recent efforts to promote price transparency, including their new price transparency tools. Speakers will also examine the opportunities presented by price transparency for patients, providers, and health plans.

Maureen Hensley-Quinn
Senior Program Director, National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP)

Chris Severn
CEO & Co-founder, Turquoise Health

Christopher Whaley
Economist, RAND Corporation

Moderator: Spencer Marshall, FSA, MAAA
Actuary, Milliman
- The Transformation of Primary Care in Medicaid: Meeting the Needs of Payers, Providers and Patients
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
Independent primary care practices are the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system, yet they are on the brink of extinction. This session will focus on how independent practices can effectively partner with health plans to improve patient outcomes and lower cost of care while advancing along the alternative payment model continuum. We’ll discuss strategies for managing risk-based contracts in Medicaid, and how to leverage workflow tools, dashboards, and applications to manage data.

Sherri D. Onyiego MD, PhD
Medical Director- Texas Market, Equality Health

Introduction: Joel Pardue
Lead Director, Market Compliance, Aetna
- No Surprises Act: What Is It, and What Is Next Regarding Provider Directories
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Room 616 A&B (6th Floor)
The No Surprises Act, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, went into effect on January 1, 2022. Although some mandates have been delayed, there’s been no shortage of activity, including lawsuits related to the legislation. As we move to the midpoint of the year, there remain many questions about updating provider directories and best practices for updating provider directories, and what is next.

Michelle Barry
Director, Expert Health Plan Provider Data Management, Availity

Introduction: Mark Chassay
Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
- Taco Tuesday Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom H-J (6th Floor)
Join your colleagues for a classic Taco Tuesday with tacos, mock-a-ritas, lemonade, and aqua fresca. Visit booths to engage with the latest in health care products and services, and take advantage of your last chance at door prizes!
- Employers and Health Plans Face New Fiduciary Obligations Under Health Law
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
The new fiduciary obligations in the Consolidated Appropriations Act have gotten far less attention than they deserve. In addition to new transparency requirements, the CAA outlines new fiduciary responsibilities for plan sponsors and advisors. Employers are now responsible for ensuring their health plan is cost-effective, offers quality care, and meets new mental health parity and pharmacy benefit requirements contained in the CAA. Learn what health plans need to know to help employers meet this new responsibility.

Tony Sorrentino, JD, CPS, CEBS
President, HPfid

Chris DeMeo
Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Moderator: James P. Gelfand
President, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC)
- Keep Moving Forward:Utilizing and Sustaining Advanced Digital and Telehealth Innovation
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
At a time when face-to-face interaction has been restricted, digital and telehealth services helped bridge the distance gap. With advances spilling over into ambulance services and mobile healthcare leveraging these innovations to treat acute and chronic conditions and address health equity has become key. This panel will discuss how digital telehealth services paired with skilled in-home providers can improve effective, safe, timely, patient-focused care.

Ade Adesanya
Co-founder and President, Moving Analytics

Amy Cummings, BS, MSN, MBA
SVP of Business Development & Growth, Emocha Health

Benjamin Swig
Director of Healthcare Innovation and Strategy, Director of Acadian Health

Moderator: Sean Bradley
Community Engagement & Govt. Relations Manager, Hazel Health
- Maximize Community Resources to Measurably Improve Member Health
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Room 616 A&B (6th Floor)
Members with elevated levels of unmet social needs represent 59% higher cost of care, 100% higher avoidable emergency department use, and 37% higher rate of maternal complications. Despite significant investments in people, technology, and outreach, these members remain unengaged and dissatisfied with healthcare, resulting in poor health outcomes and higher costs to health plans. Learn how Unite Us is helping healthcare organizations maximize and integrate community resources in care coordination programs to deliver accountable, coordinated, and high value non-medical care to improve outcomes and lower costs.

Taylor Justice
Co-Founder and President, Unite Us

Introduction: Patricia Camacho-Longoria
Executive Director, Community Advocacy, UHC Community Plan of Texas
- Employer-Based Health Coverage: Emerging Trends and Upcoming Legislative Issues
2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
More than half of Texans receive their coverage through their employers, but employers are increasingly becoming concerned about health care prices and the cost of coverage. Protecting Texas’ pro-business environment must include protecting the ability of employers to afford to provide health coverage. Texas employers need more - not less - control over their health insurance costs. Hear the latest on what large employers are doing about high prices and what that means for health plans and providers.

Avik Roy
President, The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity

James P. Gelfand
President, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC)

Glenn Hammer
Texas Association of Business

Charles Miller
Senior Policy Advisor, Texas 2036

Moderator: Blake Hutson
Director of Public Affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans
- Effectively Advancing Health Equity
2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
Developing cross-sector collaborations and tools to address SDOH, which include environmental conditions such as where people are born, live, work, and play, is essential in delivering value-based care and improving health outcomes. This panel will discuss a comprehensive approach to achieving health equity that matters.

Maurice Hill
Consulting Manager, Analytics and insights, Change Healthcare

Urvashi Patel
VP, Data + Analytics, Evernorth

Ashley Perry, MPH
Chief Solutions Officer at Socially Determined

Moderator: David Gonzales
Corporate Affairs, Humana
- The Next Wave of Health Care Innovations
2:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Room 616 A&B (6th Floor)
Utilizing technology to engage and empower clients introduces countless possibilities for improving health care. Join this panel to hear what the future holds for innovations that empower patients and reduce costs.

Don Langer
CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Texas

Dave Sockel
Chief Commercial Officer, Oshi Health

Mike Tudeen
CEO, Carebridge Health

Moderator: Sharon Alvis
Market President, Curative
- Health Care Prices and Consolidation Are Out of Control: Where Do We Go from Here?
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
Provider consolidation was a pressing issue even before the COVID-19 pandemic, but now the issue is more urgent than ever. As providers consolidate, how can we protect patients from high prices? What should consumers and regulators watch for, and what will be the effect on the health care industry?

Loren Adler
Associate Director, USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy

Maureen Hensley-Quinn
Senior Director, National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP)

Daniel G. Bird
Partner, Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, PLLC

Moderator: Charles Miller
Senior Policy Advisor, Texas 2036
- Harnessing Data to Address Social Barriers and Improve Population Health
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
Establishing interventions for high-risk populations starts with identifying social isolation, loneliness, food insecurity and other critical needs through demographic and economic data.This panel will discuss how to effectively use data to identify non-medical cost drivers and influence health behaviors to improve overall health and reduce health disparities.

Ellen Rudy, PhD
Vice President, Health and Social Impact, Papa

David J. Sand, MD, MBA
Chief Medical Officer, ZeOmega

Gerad Troutman
National Medical Director of Innovative Practices, Global Medical Response

Moderator: Laurie Vanhoose
Principal, Treaty Oak Strategies
- Taming the Beast: Using Automation & Claims, Payments, and other Data Innovations to Reduce Health Care Cost
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM
Room 616 A&B (6th Floor)
The United States healthcare spend is increasing at an alarming rate. To combat this, Payers must reduce their administrative costs and streamline plan operations while also improving health outcomes for their members. Panelists will discuss the latest industry trends and opportunities to improve competitiveness and help health plans strategize initiatives for the future.

Katreece Baker, CCS
VP Clinical Operations, DRG Claims Management

Darren Ghanayem
Managing Director, AArete

Joleen Katula
Vice President of Operations, HealthTeam Advantage

Moderator: Kevin Coonan
Director, Baker Tilly
- The Federal No Surprises Act and Other Federal Updates: What Is Happening, What Is The Experience
4:30 PM - 5:20 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
Speakers in this session will provide an overview of the long-standing issue the No Surprises Act was enacted by Congress to solve; the Federal regulations promulgated to operationalize the program; and the litigation landscape involving (in particular) the factors to be used by arbitrators in addressing payment disputes between health insurance plans and providers.

Loren Adler
Associate Director, USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy

Jack Hoadley
Research Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University

Patricia Kelmar
Director, Health Care Campaigns, PIRG

Moderator: Jana Kolarik
Partner, Foley & Lardner
- How are health plans evolving their identity in 2022 and beyond?
4:30 PM - 5:20 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
The health care industry care industry is facing an increasingly tough business climate dominated by increasing costs and prices, tightening margins and capital, and staffing upheavals. Join this session to explore the biggest market forces that leaders should be watching and the key influences that are prompting health plan organizations to evolve their identity and the tangible steps they are taking to bring that vision to life.

Aaron Mauck
Vice President & Executive Partner, Advisory Board

Introduction: Patricia Longoria
Executive Director, Community Advocacy, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas
- Improving the Member and Provider Experience: Solutions that Reduce Administrative Burden and Improve Access to Care
4:30 PM - 5:20 PM
Room 616 A&B (6th Floor)
Implementation of goal-driven member and provider engagement tools can increase access to high quality care and contain costs. This panel will discuss technology driven solutions that create efficiencies and improve both the provider and the member experience.

Tamara Bruns
Executive Vice President, Health Services, iCare Health Solutions

Tabatha Erck, EdD, MPA
President, Zipari

Michael Lunzer
Founder and CEO, Itiliti Health

Moderator: Lisa Wright
President and CEO, Community Health Choice
- VIP Reception⎪By Invitation Only
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Austin Grand Ballroom Foyer (6th Floor)
The TAHP VIP Reception is an invite-only event that provides direct access to TAHP leadership as well as an opportunity to develop important new connections and foster existing relationships.
Sponsored by:



NOTE: Click titles to expand agenda
- Attendee Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom G (6th Floor)
Grab a quick breakfast and network with your colleagues.
- The Present and Future of APCDs
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
All-Payor Claims Databases (APCDs) are being established across the country. Next year, Texas will join twenty five other states in having an active APCD. Join this panel for a discussion of the future of APCDs, including the challenges and opportunities, and an update on implementation in Texas.

Lee Spangler
Executive Director, APCD, Center for Health Care Data

Norman K. Thurston, PhD
Executive Director, National Association of Health Data Organizations

Moderator: Kandice Sanaei
State Government Affairs, CIGNA
- A Conversation with HHSC Executive Commissioner Cecile Young and CFO Trey Wood
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
Join leaders of the state’s largest agency, Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Young and Chief Financial Officer Trey Wood as they discuss the future of HHSC and the challenges facing the state.

Cecile Young
Executive Commissioner, Texas Health & Human Services Commission

Trey Wood
Chief Financial Officer, Texas Health & Human Services Commission

Introduction: Jamie Dudensing
CEO, Texas Association of Health Plans
- Regulatory Update with Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner Cassie Brown
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Austin Grand Ballroom F (6th Floor)
Commissioner Brown will discuss recent legislation and regulatory developments that will impact the Texas health insurance market

Cassie Brown
Commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance

Introduction: Jamie Dudensing
CEO, Texas Association of Health Plans