The ACO Show

Hosted by Aledade Inc

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Episodes

205

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

The ACO Show explores the latest developments in the U.S. health care system, with a focus on value-based care and accountable care organizations (ACOs). Join co-hosts Josh Israel, MD, senior medical director of Quality, and Sean Cavanaugh, chief of Policy at Aledade, in conversations with experts, policymakers and clinicians to understand how value-based care is good for patients, practices and society. The ACO Show is produced by Aledade.

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60 recent

November 2, 2026Episode 20830 min

Beyond your EHR: How TEFCA fills the gaps | The ACO Show Episode 208

Joe Neumann, senior vice president of tech product management at Aledade, and Jake Thomson, senior director of tech product management at Aledade, join Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh to explain TEFCA, or the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement, and why it matters for both physicians and patients. TEFCA is a federally supported national health information exchange, a network of networks that connects existing health information exchanges (HIEs) and individual healthcare organizations under a set of national standards. Jake explains that in an Aledade pilot rollout with 40 primary care organizations, TEFCA expanded visibility into care happening outside the primary care office, including specialist and acute care data and lab results, which supports continuity of care, especially in value-based care. Joe shares that the most important step physicians can take is to participate. Each organization that joins expands the network and helps patient information follow them across settings of care.

October 5, 2026Episode 20714 min

How independent primary care practices succeed in value-based care with CMA’s David Ford | The ACO Show Episode 207

David Ford, vice president of Health Information Technology at the California Medical Association (CMA), joins Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh to discuss value-based care in California and the CMA Physician Services Organization (PSO), where Ford also serves as CEO. Ford explains how the PSO partners with practices to help in their transition to value-based care, including on-the-ground support addressing challenges like new workflows and technological barriers. They also discuss how AI will play a key role in helping independent practices transition to value-based care, and urge physicians to advocate for health policies that promote value-based care and community partnerships.

September 8, 2026Episode 20625 min

Fixing Fragmented Quality Measures in Healthcare with Vivek Garg, MD | The ACO Show Episode 206

Vivek Garg, MD, President and CEO of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), joins Josh Israel, MD and Sean Cavanaugh to talk about the future of quality measurement in healthcare. While acknowledging clinician frustration with sometimes fragmented or conflicting quality metrics, Dr. Garg shares NCQA’s strategy to harmonize CMS quality measurement frameworks including the new Advanced Primary Care (APC) program. APC leverages interoperable data and outcome-oriented signals to align healthcare stakeholders in value-based care. Ultimately, the goal is to shift to a measurement system that supports primary care clinicians in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care that rewards clinicians for improving patient outcomes.

August 3, 2026Episode 20529 min

Between visits: How Aledade Access extends primary care | The ACO Show Episode 205

Jonas Goldstein, Senior Vice President of Transformation at Aledade, and Annette DuBard, MD, Senior Vice President of Clinical Strategy, join Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh to discuss Aledade’s participation in the CMS ACCESS model through a new program called Aledade Access which aims to improve patient outcomes by proactively engaging patients in controlling their hypertension. Jonas explains how Aledade Access will use AI-driven technologies to deliver evidence-based insights to primary care physicians within their current workflows, keeping them at the center of patient care. Dr. DuBard shares that she’s most excited about the opportunity to expand support for patients between visits, all while strengthening the relationship between primary care physicians and their patients.

July 6, 2026Episode 20419 min

Inside MedPAC: MSSP vs. Medicare Advantage with Michael Chernew | Episode 204

Michael Chernew, PhD, professor of healthcare policy at Harvard Medical School, joins Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh to discuss the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and its role in the Medicare program, including Medicare Advantage (MA) and the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). Dr. Chernew, who served as MedPAC chair from 2020-2026, shares how MedPAC provides evidence-based recommendations to Congress on payment policies, access and quality of care in Medicare. They examine Medicare solvency, cost-effectiveness concerns in both MA and MSSP, as well as larger challenges to improving the healthcare system for patients and physicians.

June 1, 2026Episode 20323 min

Driving Healthcare Innovation with Halle Tecco | Episode 203

Halle Tecco, author of the book “Massively Better Healthcare: The Innovator's Guide to Tackling Healthcare's Biggest Challenges,” joins Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh on the podcast to discuss ways to improve the healthcare system through innovation. Tecco shares that a very important focus is on alignment, not only between margin and mission, but in figuring out how to engage patients with new technologies. Tecco also explores how patients, physicians and other key stakeholders can all be involved in innovation and change in the healthcare system.

May 11, 2026Episode 20226 min

202. The Future of AI in Primary Care: Jacob Shiff on the ACCESS Model

Jacob Shiff, chief AI and technology officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Center (CMMI), joins Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh to dive deeper into the Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model . The model focuses on improving patient outcomes while encouraging clinicians to utilize technology-enabled solutions to deliver personalized, preventive care to those with chronic conditions, like hypertension and diabetes. Shiff shares that the goal is to give primary care physicians more support, while offering patients affordable and convenient care options. With continuous advancements with artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, Shiff hopes the ACCESS model will allow clinicians to use these advances to better engage with patients to improve outcomes. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the ACCESS application deadline to May 15: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/access Learn more about Aledade’s participation in ACCESS: https://aledade.com/newsroom/aledade-news/aledade-joins-cms-access-model

April 7, 2026Episode 20116 min

201. The North Carolina State Health Plan Preferred Provider Strategy with Treasurer Brad Briner

Brad Briner, North Carolina state treasurer, and Alex Mullineaux, Aledade regional market president, join Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh to discuss the state health plan’s new preferred provider strategy. The goal of this approach is to improve patient health outcomes and reduce costs by connecting patients with clinicians that have a proven record of high-quality, cost-effective care. Treasurer Briner and Alex share how this strategy came about, the benefits for patients and how North Carolina hopes to scale the plan in the future. In phase one, the state health plan approved partnerships with three networks to support this initiative, including Aledade.

March 2, 2026Episode 20019 min

200. Vaccine Schedule Changes: Paul Offit, MD, Shares Everything You Need to Know

Paul Offit, MD, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, joins Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh to discuss the recent decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to move several vaccines (including rotavirus, influenza and COVID-19) from a universal recommendation to shared clinical decision-making. While shared clinical decision making has always been an option for physicians and patients, Offit provides practical tips for clinicians navigating these conversations, advising physicians to be empathetic to patient fears, but also to be passionate in explaining the severe risks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

February 17, 2026Episode 19934 min

199. Navigating Leukemia: One Patient’s Experience

Amelia Knopp and her father, Ryan Knopp, MD, from Stone Creek Family Physicians in Manhattan, Kansas, join Josh Israel, MD, and Sean Cavanaugh to discuss Amelia’s experience with the health care system following a shocking leukemia diagnosis. They share how this diagnosis set Amelia and their family on a journey that they describe as “health care at its best.” Amelia emphasizes the importance of trust in the physician-patient relationship, and how advocating for patients and providing clear communication helps build a better patient experience. Ryan notes how his daughter’s experience underscores the importance of value-based care in ensuring that physicians are invested in the relationship with their patients and providing high-quality, accountable care.