Webinar - April 14, 2026 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm ET

"Preparing to Implement the New LEAD Model"

Presented by:
Joe Damore, Partner, CEO Advisory Network
Blair Childs, Partner, CEO Advisory Network
Noah Champagne, Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman

CMS is rolling out its most consequential test of the ACO model, LEAD, for providers serving original Medicare beneficiaries. Risk-based, accountable care payment is the clear direction of this Administration and prior Democrat administrations. For organizations with an ACO today and those considering starting an ACO, this discussion will provide information and details to help you decide the right path for your organization.

What You Will Learn:​
This webinar will provide an overview of the new CMS LEAD model, including its pluses and minuses, a comparison of the LEAD model with REACH and MSSP, how to evaluate the various elements of the LEAD model, and practical steps to prepare to implement the LEAD model.

Click here to register for the Webinar

Joe Damore
Partner
CEO Advisory Network

Joe is a nationally recognized expert on health reform, value-based care and payment and is currently the CEO of Damore Health Advisors. He formerly served as the Vice President of Strategy, Innovation and Population Health at Premier, Inc. He has extensive experience in leadership roles of successful hospitals and health systems, including nearly 20 years as a hospital and health system CEO and executive roles at the Greenville Hospital System (now Prisma Health) and Mercy Health Services (now Trinity Health). Joe has spent the past 14 years assisting organizations in successfully transitioning to value-based care and payment models. He led the development of several integrated health systems. During his tenure the health systems he led were recognized as top 50 performers in the country. Although Joe's focus has been on value-based care, his expertise includes strategic planning for hospitals and integrated health systems, financial and operational management, assisting organizations develop and go to market with innovative value-based care products, and developing and improving performance of Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) and health plans.​

Blair Childs
Partner
​CEO Advisory Network

Blair is one of the most seasoned health policy experts in the country, having spent over four decades leading policy and advocacy programs shaping most of today’s major healthcare programs. From leading national advocacy campaigns to shaping reforms in Medicare, Medicare Advantage, value-based purchasing, interoperability, and supply chain, his insights have helped guide major policy shifts in our healthcare system. He has been at the center of policy issues in Washington, D.C. for four decades, playing a leading role on healthcare issues impacting hospitals and health systems, providers, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and insurers. Most recently Childs served on the executive team for Premier, Inc. He previously held leadership roles in trade and advocacy associations, his own businesses, and Aetna. Blair has been invited to speak before hundreds of organizations and conferences to help executives decipher the trends and outlook shaping America’s healthcare system. In addition, he has appeared on and been quoted in virtually all major national publications and networks, including ABC, PBS, NBC, Politico, Inside Health Policy, Axios, among others.

​Noah Champagne
Principal and Consulting Actuary,
Milliman

​Noah is a principal and consulting actuary with extensive experience working directly with providers to facilitate risk arrangements, contracting discussions, and benchmarking. Additionally, Noah works closely with ACOs (MSSPs, REACH ACOs, High Needs REACH ACOs, LEAD ACOs, and others), MAPD plans, and individual Exchange clients to facilitate their pricing, projections, and budgeting.