CHANDLER, Ariz., April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Managed Care Executive Group, a national organization of U.S. senior health plan executives, met last week in Arizona to discuss "Health Plan's Future...NOW!"    

The 22nd Annual Forum, lead by industry thought leaders such as Dr. David Brailer, Thomas Main, Dr. Karen Bell,  Jeff Margolis and 14 other invited healthcare experts, focused heavily on the forward progression of healthcare retail, enabling innovation and technology, payment reform, and the rising role of consumers via social media and individual markets including Medicaid and Medicare.

Each year The Managed Care Executive Group polls health plan executives and industry thought leaders across the country via surveys, webinars and other events to compile a list of issues impacting health insurance organizations.   At their yearly forum the executives voted their "Top 10" issues, as represented below.  

This year's list changed quite significantly from a year ago when the list was dominated by the role of government.  "In such a rapidly changing environment, MCEG members and nationally recognized executives offered additional clarification and guidance on how health plan priorities continue to evolve and what they can do to address them," said Alan Abramson, the outgoing Chairperson of MCEG, SVP and CIO of HealthPartners, and Emeritus MCEG Board Member .  "The discussions were invaluable for our members to survive and thrive in 2011 and beyond."  Voted as the Top 10 issues in 2011 for health plans:

1.   Administrative Mandates (Compliance HIPAA 5010, ICD-10, etc.).  

2.   Care Management, Data Analytics, and Informatics.  

3.   Health Insurance Exchanges and Individual Markets.

4.   New Provider Payment & Delivery Systems (ACOs, PCMHs, etc.).

5.   Bend the Cost Trend.

6.   Medicare and Medicaid.

7.   Health Information Exchanges and EMRs.

8.   Consumer's Role in the Modernization of Healthcare.

9.   Reform Uncertainties.

10. Payer / Provider Interoperability.

"These issues, and others that become critical, will continue to be the topics of additional webinars, white papers and discussions over the next year within MCEG," said Vince Ferri, VP & CIO of AvMed Health Plans, and the newly elected Chairperson of MCEG. "We invite all health plan executives to join us in addressing these priority issues with a focus on enhancing collaboration and working on affordability."

Details of Annual Forum agenda, the twenty-seven 2011 issues discussed and voted, complete descriptions of the MCEG Top 10, and resource materials such as links to past webinars, prior Top 10 lists and the recent MCEG/HTMS/Health Dialog White Paper entitled "Moving Forward with Reform: The Health Plan Agenda for 2011 and Beyond" can be reviewed at www.MCEG.net.  

About The Managed Care Executive Group

The Managed Care Executive Group (MCEG) is a national organization that provides a forum and ongoing networking for the open exchange of information, innovative ideas, and experience among senior health plan leaders.   The objectives of the group are two fold:  To provide channels for the exchange of relevant information between managed care/health plan technology and business executives and; To provide ample opportunity for personal networking and to educate executives on clinical and administrative trends in the healthcare, new and emerging technologies, and other pertinent information to assist in achieving the key goals of cost containment, effective service models and high quality healthcare.

The 23rd Annual Forum is planned for March 25-28, 2012 at the Westin Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Contact us for participation in MCEG's remaining 2011 events and the 2012 Forum at www.mceg.net.

SOURCE Managed Care Executive Group