Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are set to change with new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and increased competition. This event explores the upcoming regulatory changes, including the annual review of Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), which will assess how these benefits impact member health. Starting in 2026, Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) will also be required to notify members about unused supplemental benefits mid-year, improving health equity and ensuring enrollees are aware of available resources.

Hear our conversation with Amy Schiffman, CEO of AgeTech DC and CMO of Heal Pros, and Doron Porat, co-founder and CEO of ActiveAging, about strategies for enhancing member outcomes and satisfaction, with a focus on addressing social determinants of health such as transportation, meals and housing support. Learn how MA plans can improve Star Ratings, boost retention and close care gaps by offering targeted, effective benefits.

The event also showcases tools like ActiveAging’s ActiveAgent platform, an AI-driven tool that ensures its members are fully utilizing supplemental benefits, driving engagement, satisfaction, retention and Star Ratings. Attendees gained key insights to remain competitive, meet CMS requirements and position their plans for long-term financial sustainability.

This conversation was moderated by John Achoukian, executive in residence at MATTER.

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Cyberattacks on hospital systems across the United States are becoming increasingly frequent. These attacks have resulted in major disruptions to patient care and breaches of financial information and other sensitive information, despite significant investments in cybersecurity. The current landscape demonstrates a critical need for a new approach — one that combines protective measures with enhanced resilience.

Leading hospital systems have been working closely with accentedge to implement resilience protocols, ensuring that the impact of cyberattacks on patient care and hospital operations remains minimal. This approach not only secures healthcare services, but also diminishes cybercriminal incentives by eliminating financial gain as the sole objective of these attacks.

At this event, Syed Alam, founder & CEO of accentedge, shared insights into this transformative approach, drawing parallels with other critical infrastructure sectors like power and telecommunications, where continuity is paramount. Additionally, Syed joined the panel discussion with Dr. Tom Shanley, president & CEO of Lurie Children’s Hospital, and John Riggi, national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association, to discuss how to shape a resilient healthcare framework — one that safeguards patients, ensures operational stability and reinforces the foundation of our critical healthcare systems. MATTER CEO Steven Collens moderated the panel.

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In this episode of our Advancing Health Equity series, you’ll hear from Dr. Joseph Wright, Chief Health Equity Officer at the American Academy of Pediatrics. A nationally recognized expert in pediatric emergency medicine, Dr. Wright has dedicated his career to advancing child health through advocacy, equity and injury prevention, with over 120 publications and numerous awards to his name. Interviewed by Dr. Jacqueline Douge, a pediatrician and leading voice in health equity, this conversation delves into the systemic challenges impacting children’s health and explores actionable solutions to close equity gaps. Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring discussion!

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In this episode of Advancing Health Equity, Dr. Maia Hightower, CEO of Equality AI and former Chief Digital Transformation Officer at the University of Chicago Medicine, joins Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER, to explore the transformative role of AI in advancing health equity. With over 20 years of experience in medicine and healthcare leadership, Dr. Hightower shares her expert insights on how artificial intelligence can address disparities and improve patient outcomes. From her time practicing medicine to shaping digital health strategies, she provides a compelling perspective on leveraging technology to create a more equitable healthcare system. Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion on innovation and inclusion.

About Advancing Health Equity
MATTER’s Advancing Health Equity podcast series focuses on unpacking the complexities of health inequities impacting the healthcare system and the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. These 20-30 minute interview-style sessions are meant to take quick dives into critical areas of health equity and answer questions like:

• What does health equity mean today?
• Where do current gaps exist in the various areas of healthcare?
• Where do we see intersections in care?
• How can technology and innovation be leveraged strategically to positively make a change?

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In the fourth episode of season two of Healthcare Horizons, MATTER CEO Steven Collens welcomes Hafeezah Muhammed, founder and CEO of Backpack Healthcare, to discuss how her company is redefining youth mental health support through innovative, AI-driven solutions. Backpack Healthcare is on a mission to provide inclusive and accessible mental health resources that empower young people and their families. Hafeezah shares her inspiration behind creating Backpack, the company's unique approach to trust and safety in AI and their recent $14 million funding milestone. Discover how this trailblazing company is using technology to lighten the emotional burdens we all carry and reshape the future of mental health care.

Take a listen to their full conversation!

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Welcome to the third episode of Healthcare Horizons: AI and Mental Health. MATTER CEO Steven Collens dives into the story behind Joystik Life, a stress management app that uses autogenics to guide users through a series of phrases in short, time-efficient sessions designed to reduce stress, enhance performance and boost mental well-being. 

Hear from Sarah Pierce, chief clinical officer and co-founder of Joystik, as she explains the science behind autogenics, its impact on the nervous system and how Joystik is making stress management accessible for everyone. 

Take a listen to their full conversation!

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According to Mental Health America, approximately 20.78 percent of adults experienced a mental illness in 2019-2020, and more than half (54.7 percent) of adults with a mental illness did not receive treatment, with financial barriers being a significant reason.1 Recent research highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly enhancing the accessibility of mental healthcare, including diagnosis, therapy and treatment, while also reducing biases for individuals with autism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In a conversation with MATTER CEO Steven Collens, Omer Golan, founder and CEO of MyWhatIf, discussed how AI fits into the mental healthcare landscape, how MyWhatIf’s two programs — one for veterans suffering with PTSD and another for cancer patients and their families with PTSD — provide AI-based tools to support mental health and more.

Take a listen to their full conversation.

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A 2023 study revealed that patients of therapists who overestimated their effectiveness often fared worse than those whose therapists had an accurate or even underestimated sense of their effectiveness. This is where measurement-informed care and care pathways become crucial. Blueprint, a MATTER startup member, provides essential resources to clients, clinicians and organizations, ensuring that mental healthcare is delivered as effectively as possible.

MATTER CEO Steven Collens sat down with Danny Freed, founder and CEO of Blueprint, to explore current trends in the mental health tech landscape, the transformative role of AI in treatment and how Blueprint equips behavioral health organizations with the tools needed to deliver the most effective care.

Their discussion offers a unique startup perspective on the evolution of mental healthcare through AI-driven solutions. Listen to learn more about the role of startups in mental health innovation.

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As the inevitable need for vision care accelerates, so too does the demand from patients for improved technology, interactions and experiences with the healthcare system. To combat this rising issue, MATTER and VSP Vision™ launched the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge a global competition to source and support solutions enhancing the eye care patient experience.

Join us for a conversation with three startups that are transforming the eye care experience, whether it’s making it more accessible, equitable or health-focused. Moderator, Will Flanigan, head of programs and partnerships of VSP’s Global Innovation Center, is joined by Dr. Ali Khoshnevis, co-founder and chief strategy officer of EyeCheq, Kimberly Wilson, founder and CEO of HUED, and Ehsan Vaghefi, founder and CEO of Toku Eyes. 

Listen in to learn more about the work of these three companies, gain new insights into eye health and vision care and be inspired by the opportunities for innovation in the vision care space.

About Partner Insights
MATTER’s Partner Insights podcast series is a collaborative conversation with our partners to address healthcare’s biggest challenges while highlighting innovative solutions to overcome them.

Learn more about the VSP Innovation Challenge.

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The Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) recently released a report on digital diabetes management solutions that concluded the solutions are generally adding costs to the healthcare system, rather than reducing expenditures. It is fair to say the report has been controversial. 

Join us for a conversation with PHTI Executive Director Caroline Pearson about the report, their methodology, the feedback they have received since publication and their plans for assessing two additional areas — digital hypertension management and mental/behavioral health.

The conversation was moderated by MATTER CEO Steven Collens. 

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