Agenda
Explore the full schedule of sessions at The 10th Annual CMS Bid Boot Camp
Wednesday - January 21, 2026
11:00 AM
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Information Desk Open
1:00 PM
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Pre-Conference Workshop: Introduction to the CMS Bid
Bid Basics
· Get an introduction to Medicare Advantage
· Review key terms, files, reports, and timelines for the bid
· Understand the connection between the bid and the Medicare Plan Finder
The Plan Benefit Package (PBP)
· Walk through PBP in the Health Plan Management System (HPMS) and get clear explanations of the sections, fields, and rules
· Learn PBP completion strategies that give your health plan a competitive edge
· Break down the 2026 benchmark and rate updates and their impact on MA/Part D bids
· Review key CMS technical guidance, bid submission timelines, and strategic planning best practices
Speaker
James Cooper
Actuary at Milliman
Speaker
Zachary White
Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman
3:00 PM
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Networking Break
3:30 PM
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Pre-Conference Workshop: Introduction to the CMS Bid (continued)
The Bid Pricing Tool (BPT)
· Learn how decisions for the PBP connect to the actuarial work done in the Bid Pricing Tool (BPT)
· Discover how base bids, benchmark rates, risk scores, and other bid variables in the CMS bid calculation affect health plan revenue
· Explore CMS tools and tests that determine pricing
· Explore the latest CMS Bid Pricing Tool (v2026) interface and formulas
· Identify common bid file errors and how to avoid them
· Learn shortcuts to validate assumptions and streamline cross-team workflows
Speaker
Joseph Khalaf
Sr. Actuarial Analyst at Milliman
Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Welcome Cocktail Reception
Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers. (All conference attendees invited.)
Thursday - January 22, 2026
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 6:10 PM
Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Information Desk Open
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Networking Breakfast
9:15 AM
9:15 AM – 9:20 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Conference Co-Chair
Chairperson, Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
9:20 AM
9:20 AM – 10:15 AM
Bid and Benchmark Dynamics: What the CY 2026 Landscape Tells Us
· Review finalized 2026 benchmarks and MA payment updates and how the VBID model sunset after 2025 reshapes supplemental benefit flexibility and plan strategy
· Understand rate factor trends and their market implications to optimize your bid process and how new CMMI specialty models (cardiovascular and back pain) may influence utilization assumptions
· Hear expert analysis on how leading plans are adjusting pricing and rebate strategy
Speaker
Tyler Copeland
Associate Actuary at Milliman
Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
10:15 AM
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Building a Year-Round Bid Strategy from Process Design to Competitive Edge
· Create a 12-month bid operations roadmap that streamlines internal reviews, and aligns actuarial, product, and compliance teams
· Incorporate monitoring of CMS rulemaking, legislative changes, and demonstrations like VBID or CMMI pilot
· Use market intelligence, benchmark data, and member analytics to define a differentiated strategy that balances growth, retention, and profitability
· Hear lessons learned from experienced bid leaders on how cross-functional coordination, automation tools, and continuous data validation can transform bid performance year after year
Speaker
Jonathan Cho
VP, Medicare Product, Strategy, and Execution at Healthfirst
Speaker
Jen Callahan
President and Chief Executive Officer, at ATRIO Health Plans
Speaker
Kaitlin Mayhew
Senior Director, Product Development at Curana Health
11:00 AM
11:00 AM – 11:25 AM
Networking Break
11:25 AM
11:25 AM – 12:05 PM
The Risk Adjustment Reality Check
· Evaluate risk score trends and normalization factors under the 2026 framework
· Discuss the operational, actuarial, and coding impacts of the 100% model phase-in
· Explore how data accuracy and documentation integrity drive bid credibility
Speaker
Shannon Decker
Principal at VBC One
Speaker
Rafi Cices
Head of BOI, Coding & Billing at CityBlock
12:05 PM
12:05 PM – 12:20 PM
Tools and Tech
Presented by: Simplify Healthcare
12:20 PM
12:20 PM – 1:20 PM
Networking Lunch
1:20 PM
1:20 PM – 2:10 PM
From Data to Decision: How AI and Advanced Analytics Are Revolutionizing the Bid Cycle
· Explore how Medicare Advantage organizations are using AI to improve actuarial precision, automate bid validation, and reduce manual errors
· Examine real-world analytics pipelines that transform raw data into actionable insights for pricing and product strategy
· Learn how predictive modeling and machine learning refine assumptions, enhance cost forecasting, and strengthen compliance oversight across bid cycles
Speaker
Monica Pagels
Manager of Product Development at Emergient
Speaker
Jake Mead
CEO and Lead Advisor at Impact Sales Partners
2:10 PM
2:10 PM – 3:00 PM
Operationalizing Bid Integrity through Cross-Functional Collaborations
· Discover best practices from leading plans on aligning actuarial, product, and compliance teams
· Learn new workflow automation tools improving bid cycle efficiency
· Review CMS audit trends and mitigation strategies
Speaker
Monica Pagels
Manager of Product Development at Emergient
Speaker
Jen Callahan
President and Chief Executive Officer, at ATRIO Health Plans
3:00 PM
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Networking Break
3:20 PM
3:20 PM – 4:05 PM
Maximizing Value through Benefit Design
· Understand the connection between bid design, member experience, and Star performance
· Explore 2026 Star Rating updates and quality improvement tactics
· Review how innovative supplemental benefits influence ratings and retention
Moderator, Speaker
Tina Dueringer
Principal Advisor at Dueringer Advisors
Speaker
Jason Hellinger
Sr. Strategic Product Manager, Medicare Solutions at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC)
Speaker
Craig W. Fisher
4:05 PM
4:05 PM – 4:50 PM
Technology and Transformation, and The Future of Bidding Beyond 2026
· Examine trends in automation, interoperability, and data exchange across MA operations
· Understand how technology innovators are reshaping bid submission and product analytics
· Explore how CMS modernization efforts could affect 2027 and beyond
4:50 PM
4:50 PM – 5:05 PM
Tools and Tech
5:05 PM
5:05 PM – 5:10 PM
Closing Remarks
Chairperson, Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
5:10 PM
5:10 PM – 6:10 PM
Networking Cocktail Reception
Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and face-to-face networking with peers.
Friday - January 23, 2026
8:00 AM
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
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 – 9:10 AM
Welcome Remarks and Day One Takeaways
Chairperson, Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
9:10 AM
9:10 AM – 10:10 AM
Strategic Benefit Design and Competing Smarter in 2026 and Beyond
· Reassess supplemental benefit strategies as the VBID model sunsets, focusing on financially sustainable alternatives for targeted populations
· Evaluate the growing importance of SNPs amid dual-eligible growth, Medicaid churn, and social risk factor alignment
· Explore innovative ways to support high-cost chronic populations through benefit design that aligns with CMMI’s new specialty models
Moderator, Speaker
Tina Dueringer
Principal Advisor at Dueringer Advisors
10:00 AM
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Part D Alignment and Integrating Prescription Benefits into Your MA Bid
· Review the 2026 Part D bid and premium stabilization updates
· Understand how Part D assumptions affect total plan competitiveness
· Discuss the operational nuances of managing integrated MA-PD bids
10:45 AM
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Networking Break
11:15 AM
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Closing Roundtable: Forward View and Preparing for CMS’s Next Wave of Bid Reform
· Anticipate the policy ripple effects of VBID’s termination, new CMMI demonstrations, and evolving drug payment reforms
· Predict how 2027+ rules may change pricing, technology, and market participation
· Forecast how the Generous model and Medicaid policy shifts could affect future Part D assumptions
· Identify long-term strategies to build resilient, compliant bid teams
Moderator, Speaker
Jake Mead
CEO and Lead Advisor at Impact Sales Partners
Speaker
Shannon Decker
Principal at VBC One
12:15 PM
12:15 PM – 12:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Chairperson, Speaker
Ana Handshuh
Principal at CAT5 Strategies
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