OREANDA-NEWS. October 03, 2013. McKesson thought leaders and customers will join other healthcare industry experts in Scottsdale, Arizona for the 26th McKesson Health Solutions Conference.

This annual event brings leading healthcare payers and providers together to discuss strategies to help clear the way for the organizational transformation needed to thrive today and prepare for tomorrow.  The healthcare market is in the midst of major change that includes shifting payment and delivery models, a new Health Insurance Exchange population and increasing economic pressure. Collaborative, system-wide approaches supported by automation and transparency will be critical to transitioning to a value-based market that enables lower cost,  maintains quality, and helps improve the patient experience.

"The transformation needed to succeed in the future is extensive, complex and reliant on payers and providers working collaboratively," said Emad Rizk, M.D., president of McKesson Health Solutions. "We have a unique opportunity at the MHS Conference to bring stakeholders from both markets together to engage in meaningful dialogue about strategies to partner to collectively meet the challenges of today and tomorrow."

Dr. Christine Hunter, chief medical officer at U.S. Office of Personnel Management, will give the Industry Keynote at this year's conference. With over 30 years of experience in federal health care, Dr. Hunter serves as medical director for the Office of Personnel Management's Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB), where she oversees healthcare quality and contributes to the design of new insurance offerings. Dr. Hunter will describe how FEHB is bridging from its respected past to a promising future by reinforcing its emphasis on quality, encouraging delivery system innovation, reducing waste and achieving effective pharmacy benefits management.

Her address will touch on the importance of embracing strategies and technologies that foster stakeholder collaboration, empower enrollee choice and support program agility  to meet the needs of today's workforce while investing in the future. Dr. Hunter will also discuss how OPM will translate its ample experience with FEHB and the Federal Pre-Existing Condition Program into Multi-State Plans offered through the state and federally facilitated health insurance exchanges.

The McKesson Health Solutions Conference features nearly 100 sessions and events intended to promote learning and best practices across decision management, care management, population management, and network and financial management. Additionally, the conference will feature Dr. David Nace moderating a senior client panel on new payment, reimbursement and delivery models as well as cross market collaboration and changing populations.