RISE National 2025 ended last Friday, but attendees and sponsors are still talking about the amazing keynotes, informative sessions, and the strong connections they made. Here is a roundup of key takeaways and quotes heard during the conference, in hallway chats, and on LinkedIn.
Don’t lose sight of what is most important: Focus on the care of members
Reflecting on the first full day of the conference and the sessions that emphasized the uncertain regulatory landscape and need to pivot in times of change, conference chairs Liz Haynes and Kim Miller reminded attendees to focus on doing right by the patient and preventing illness and serving the young, the elderly, and those who are sick. They must be advocates and make sure people still have access to affordable care.
Haynes, vice president of quality, Stars, and risk adjustment, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, pictured above, right, said it’s vital to keep the member at the center of what you do. “Risk adjustment and Stars really are the foundation of good, comprehensive quality of care,” she said.
“Don’t lose sight on fighting for the forgotten” added Miller, government programs clinical coordinator, SR, BlueCross Blue Shield of Kansas City, pictured above, left. “These individuals may not be able to have a voice for themselves. So, make sure that you keep that in mind as you, as the industry experts, make sure that you're fighting for that next step.”
Mark Dabney, director, risk adjustment, Community Health Plan of Washington, who served as a track chair for the Innovation Theater at RISE National, wrote on LinkedIn that despite industry changes, the core of health care remains the same: people helping people. “It’s crucial to treat everyone with compassion, support, and education,” he said. “As someone in a health plan, my goal is to help providers navigate programs effectively so they can focus on patient care.”
Paige Kilian, chief medical officer, Inovalon, said Justin Wren’s keynote was a reminder that impact isn’t always about grand gestures; it's about showing up, even in small ways, to help those in need.
“While big, sweeping changes are wonderful, the small, meaningful moments matter just as much. If one action helps even one person, it's worth it. Grateful for this inspiring conversation and the chance to reflect on how we can all make a difference—one step, one act, and one person at a time.”
Invest in strong compliance programs
At RISE National 2025, there was much conversation about the evolving regulatory environment and reducing wasteful spending. While there's a lot of uncertainty, one thing is clear: compliance extends far beyond merely adhering to regulations. It requires organizations to remain agile and prepare for what's next,” Dr. Kathryn Eshelman, VP of clinical informatics, Inovalon, told RISE.
As scrutiny of Medicare Advantage plans and risk adjustment audits increase, RADV audits are no longer a matter of if but when, she said. “To be prepared, health plans must take a proactive approach and invest in strong compliance programs, provider relationships, and predictive software to achieve audit readiness and avoid being caught off guard,” Dr. Eshelman said.
In a LinkedIn post, Inovaare Corporation said that as a result of the conference, it identified five health care compliance trends every health plan needs to watch:
- AI-powered automation is now essential for CMS audits and A&G backlogs
- Poor data is leading to failed audits and AI scrubbing prevents findings
- Real-time vendor tracking is a must to manage delegate/vendor risks
- Faster A&G triaging with AI supports
- Star ratings by reducing resolution times by 70 percent The future of compliance is proactive, not reactive
Rebuild trust with the public, consumers, and providers
Ana Handshuh, principal, CAT5 Strategies, (pictured above) a member of the opening panel on how to navigate Medicare Advantage in times of change, wrote in a LinkedIn post that she was struck by an audience member’s question on what plans should do to rebuild trust. Handshuh said that rebuilding trust should be an imperative. To do so, she suggests adopting a culture of transparency and communication, exploring ways to be more “consumer-centric” in your engagement, strengthening provider relationships through collaboration, and committing to innovation.
“Trust isn’t something that can be rebuilt overnight,” she said. “It requires a sustained, strategic focus on transparency, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. For plans ready to lead the way, this isn’t optional, it’s essential for long-term success. I for one, think that it’s a job for all of us, as a community, to collectively drive greater trust in the health care ecosystem.”
Embrace the potential of AI
AI was at the forefront of most conversations during the conference, proving that the future of health care is being shaped right now, wrote health care leader Jason L. on LinkedIn, adding in another post that he was especially inspired about AI in health care after listening to Dr. Robby Sikka’s closing keynote.
After attending sessions on AI, Chandra Osborn, chief executive officer, AdhereHealth, wrote that AI isn’t just about efficiency. “It’s about engagement, adherence, and impact. The key? Using AI to support—not replace—human connection,” she said.
Curt Thornton, chief commercial officer of Linus Health, told RISE that cognitive decline and dementia are among the biggest drivers of health care costs. Despite a shortage of neurologists and primary care providers, he sees hope on many fronts, including AI-powered digital cognitive assessments that enable early detection of cognitive decline years before traditional methods can.
“Leveraging these solutions can help payers and providers shift from reactive, high-cost care to proactive, lower-cost interventions,” he said. “These screenings reduce the need for specialist referrals and enable faster risk stratification. By leveraging science-driven digital solutions to support early detection, intervention and continuous care across settings, managed care organizations can reduce costs, improve member outcomes, and ease provider burdens—all while leading the shift toward proactive, technology-enabled cognitive care.”