FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Managed Care Executive Group (MCEG), a national organization of health plan executives, met March 25-28, 2012 in Florida to participate with national healthcare thought leaders in identifying "Practical Growth Strategies in Turbulent Times," which was the annual forum theme.
“The discussions these last 3 days have been the best we have had in 23 years and we invite all health plan executives to join us in continuing periodic panel discussions and next year’s forum on their impact and implications.”
The 23rd Annual Forum led by industry experts such as Dr. Doug Fridsma, John Goodman, Eric Murphy, Craig Samitt, Brad Fluegel, Charlie Baker, Doug Simpson, Harry Reynolds, Anthony Bradley and 10 other keynotes focused heavily on considerations such as whether this is: “the end of healthcare as we know it,” “making the leap from volume to value,” “innovation and technological change,” “Federal plans, programs and challenges” and “how the social organization might tap the collective genius of health plan communities.” Roundtable discussions were held on topics like care management, medical informatics, cost implications of innovation, the changing value of certifications, meaningful use, processes and measures, using HSAs to supercharge wellness, health plan’s role in bending the cost curve, health insurance exchanges, payment reform and creating consumer engagement. Significant time was allocated in consideration and discussion of the many issues of growing importance to all healthcare stakeholders.
Each year MCEG polls health plan executives across the country via surveys, webinars and other events to compile a list of issues considered of major importance health insurance organizations. This year’s list was voted on at the Annual Form again to determine the "Top 10" issues.
Beyond more complex issues being considered, this year's Top 10 shifted most significantly from a year ago with “Bending the Cost Trend” becoming the number one concern. Things like reform uncertainty and consumer roles which were hot topics a year ago gave way to new issues such as big data warehousing and analytics along with PHI privacy and security. "This year there was an overwhelming sense that everything seems to be a top priority. Bottom line, the biggest challenge health plans are facing is staying focused on the issues that are aligned with their strategies," said Vince Ferri, Chairperson of MCEG and VP and CIO of AvMed Health Plans. "The Forum discussions provided critical insight for MCEG members to consider relevant factors that will lead to their health plan’s success." Voted and ranked as the Top 10 health plan issues in 2012 were:
1. Bend the Cost Trend in both Medical and Administrative Expenses Tie with # 2
2. Care Management, Data Analytics, and Informatics to Improve Outcomes Tie with # 1
3. New Provider Payment Models & Delivery Systems (ACOs, PCMHs)
4. Medicare, Medicaid and Other Government Programs
5. Health Information Exchanges (HIEs)
6. Big Data, Warehousing and Analytical Capability Expansion
7. Payer/Provider Interoperability Tie with # 8
8. Administrative Simplification, Mandates and Efficiency (HIPAA 5010, ICD-10, MLR) Tie with # 7
9. Health Insurance Exchanges (HIXs) Tie with # 10
10. PHI Privacy and Security Tie with # 9
Two other issues – innovation and collaboration of business and IT and transparency of pricing, outcomes and operations – were very close in the rankings of the above top 10. “The way MCEG members address these issues will be critical to their success in 2012 and beyond,” said Alan Abramson, SVP & CIO of HealthPartners, Emeritus Chair of MCEG and the recipient of the 2012 MCEG Alumni Award. "The discussions these last 3 days have been the best we have had in 23 years and we invite all health plan executives to join us in continuing periodic panel discussions and next year’s forum on their impact and implications."
Details of Annual Forum program, the other 2012 issues considered and voted, complete descriptions of the MCEG Top 10 and resource materials such as links to past Virtual Panels, prior Top 10 lists and the recent MCEG/HTMS White Paper and slides entitled "Moving Forward with Reform: The Health Plan Pulse for 2012 and Beyond" can be reviewed at www.MCEG.net.
The 24th Annual Forum is planned for March 10-13, 2013 at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. Contact us for participation in MCEG's remaining 2012 events and the 2013 Forum at www.MCEG.net.
About MCEG - The Managed Care Executive Group is a national organization that uniquely serves as a community of executives who act as resources to each other throughout the year in navigating the tactical and strategic issues facing organizations today since 1988. The purpose of MCEG is to create a comfortable forum for the exchange of ideas, the development of valuable peer relationship and the opportunity to explore the innovation that will transform organizations and the industry.
Contacts
AvMed Health Plans
Conchita Ruiz-Topinka, 305-671-7306
Director, Corporate Communications
Conchita.ruiz@avmed.org
