The ACO Show

178. Challenges and Opportunities in Caring for Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries

In this episode, Sean Cavanaugh and Josh Israel discuss the complexities of caring for patients who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. They are joined first by Melanie Bella, whose prior roles include former Director of Indiana Medicaid, Director of the CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office and EVP at Cityblock, and are then joined by Aledade’s Mohamed Arif, and Lahila Pitts. They explore the unique challenges these patients face, including fragmented care and high social needs. They also highlight how value-based care and data-driven solutions are improving outcomes for this underserved group. Tune in for insights into better care coordination for dual-eligible beneficiaries.

177. What’s New for ACOs in 2025?

Casey Korba, Director of Policy at Aledade, walks us through regulations that were announced along with the 2025 CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, including updates to the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Casey and our host Sean Cavanaugh, who is the former Director of the Center for Medicare, explain policy changes that will support value-based care, including changes to payments for some preventive care services and a new health equity benchmarking adjustment. While there is bipartisan support for CMS’s goal of moving towards value-based care, they also explore ongoing challenges like the rebasing process and benchmarking standards.

176. Healthcare During a Devastating Hurricane

In this episode, we sit down with Traci Spence, the Chief Operating Officer of Blue Ridge Community Health Center in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Traci shares her  experience managing a health center during a catastrophic hurricane that left the region without power, water, or infrastructure. Despite these overwhelming challenges, Traci and her team found creative solutions to continue serving their community in the midst of chaos. This conversation highlights themes of improvisation, community, and resilience when the healthcare system is pushed to its limits.

175. The HCP LAN Summit: Building Partnerships for Progress

Join Dr. Judy Zerzen-Thul as she explains how the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network (HCP LAN) brings together clinicians, health systems, and payers in a partnership aimed at transitioning from fee-for-service to value-based care models. Dr. Zerzen-Thul is the Chief Medical Officer at Washington State Health Care Authority, and Co-Chair of the LAN Executive Forum. She discusses how value-based care is progressing across different sectors, including common barriers like data exchange and aligning payment methodologies. She also discusses the upcoming HCP LAN summit on November 14th, where stakeholders including payers, purchasers, and patients will gather to address challenges in moving towards value-based care.

Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network

174. Community Resilience: Healthcare in the Wake of Hurricane Helene

In this episode of the Aledade ACO Show, hosts Josh Israel and Sean Cavanaugh speak with Brenda Fore from the East Asheville Family Health Care Clinic and Ashley Austin from Aledade about the impact of Hurricane Helene on their community. They share firsthand accounts of the challenges faced when clinics lost power and water, and how healthcare providers adapted to continue serving patients amidst the chaos. Discover the power of improvisation and community support in times of disaster.

173. Public Health Unpacked: Inside DC Health

In this episode of the ACO Show, host Sean Cavanaugh and Aledade CEO Farzad Mostashari, sit down with Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health. They dive into the multifaceted role of public health, discussing everything from community health initiatives to tackling local challenges like pest control. Dr. Bennett shares her journey from private practice to public health leadership and emphasizes the importance of health equity, data, and community connection in improving health outcomes. Listen in as we unpack the vital work being done at DC Health and explore how understanding the stories behind the numbers, leads to meaningful change in healthcare.

172. The Road Show Part 2: Independent Practices in Hospital-Dominated Communities

In this episode of the ACO Show, hosts Josh Israel and Sean Cavanaugh recount their summer road trip, along with Aledade CEO Farzad Mostashari, part 2, visiting primary care practices across America. From camping in Moab to meeting health care leaders in places like Glenwood Springs, CO and St. George, UT they explore the diversity of value-based care primary care delivery. The episode highlights how communities, large and small, benefit from strong primary care systems and previews exciting episodes for the season ahead.

171. The Road Show: Cross-Country Reflections on Primary Care

In this season premiere of the ACO Show, hosts Josh Israel and Sean Cavanaugh recount their summer road trip, along with Aledade CEO Farzad Mostashari, visiting primary care practices across America. From camping in Moab to meeting health care leaders in places like Mexico, Missouri, and Salina, Kansas, they explore the diversity of value-based primary care delivery. The episode highlights how communities, large and small, benefit from strong primary care systems and previews exciting episodes for the season ahead.

170. From the Value Summit: Innovations in Value-Based Primary Care

Join Josh Israel and Sean Cavanaugh in the season finale of the ACO Show, recorded live at Aledade’s North Carolina Value Summit. They engage with three primary care physicians—Dr. Wayne Haga, Dr. Mark McNeill, and Dr. Art Apolinario—about their success in value-based care and how they are using their increased revenue to improve patient care.
Submit your questions, comments, or episode ideas to acoshow@aledade.com

169. 10 Years of Aledade: The Evolution of Accountable Care

Dr. Farzad Mostashari, CEO of Aledade, is joined by Dr. Mark McClellan and Bob Kocher to reflect on the past decade of health care reform, and the early days of Aledade and accountable care organizations (ACOs). Dr. McClellan, director of the Duke Margolis Institute for Health Policy at Duke University, discusses the evolution of legislative policy, sharing how bipartisan efforts led to the integration of shared savings models into health care policy and Bob Kocher, chairman of the board of Aledade, shares his thoughts on Aledade’s journey and future direction, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a patient-centered approach, and perseverance in navigating the evolving health care landscape.

Submit your questions, comments, or episode ideas to acoshow@aledade.com