The final day of RISE National will feature a panel discussion examining the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) top priorities for 2026 and how they align with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) programs.
NCQA experts in federal policy and product strategy will join the Wednesday, March 26 session to break down shifts in the federal policy landscape and what they mean for plans.
Eric Musser, vice president for federal affairs, and Rachel Harrington, senior product strategist, will participate in a discussion moderated by Liz Haynes, vice president of quality, Stars, and risk adjustment at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.
The conversation will address how plans can balance evolving regulatory requirements with meaningful, measurable quality improvement.
Discussion topics include CMS proposals in the 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D Advance Notice—particularly changes related to the weighting of clinical outcome measures
and Star Ratings—as well as the shifting population health landscape.
NCQA’s priorities reflect federal momentum toward prevention and lifestyle medicine. Musser and Harrington noted that initiatives such as CMMI’s ACCESS and MAHA ELEVATE models, and CMS’ leadership in advancing a health technology ecosystem, encourage the adoption of digital tools and community‑based solutions designed to improve outcomes through prevention, wellness, and self‑management support.
This shift also aligns with NCQA’s modernization of its existing Wellness and Health Promotion Accreditation program. According to Harrington, updated standards will reflect the realities of 2026—including advances in technology, the role of AI‑enabled coaching, and the need for rigorous yet flexible approaches to measuring behavior change and outcomes.
Building trust in a fragmented digital ecosystem
One recurring theme in NCQA's work is the need to restore trust across the digital health ecosystem. Harrington emphasized that clinicians, payers, vendors, and patients often operate in silos, creating data fragmentation, misaligned incentives, and uncertainty regarding the value and impact of digital tools.
To address this, NCQA plans to strengthen standards for data exchange, transparency, and outcome measurement—while supporting responsible deployment of digital health solutions.
Preparing for the future of population health
Looking ahead, Harrington highlighted NCQA’s evolving approach to population health, including efforts to simplify requirements and ensure care models remain flexible enough to meet the diverse needs of different patients, such as older adults with multiple complex chronic conditions or younger individuals living with Type 1 diabetes.
The overarching message: meaningful improvement requires sustained investment in prevention and wellness—not just acute care or high-risk populations.
RISE National 2026 will take place March 23–25 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Click here to see the full agenda, roster of speakers, and how to register.