Reorgs, RFPs, and Readiness: Phil Surine on FedHealth in Transition

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, Shelley McGuire talks with Phil Surine, former CMS leader and managing President at Medkasa, about key shifts in federal healthcare programs. Phil explains how Medicare Advantage continues to expand, now covering over half of Medicare enrollees, and why contractors should track this trend closely.  He highlights the risk of chasing RFPs tied to declining programs and stresses the importance of understanding where the government is placing its long-term bets. The discussion also covers the rise of mandatory value-based care models, which are now running as long-term programs rather than short pilots. Phil shares how this creates meaningful, stable opportunities for contractors—if they’re informed. Rather than relying solely on capture processes, he urges companies to invest in program knowledge and policy insights. Curiosity, he says, is key to staying relevant and effective in this evolving space. To connect with Phil, visit him on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Medkasa, visit their webpage here. If you liked listening to this episode, view our Former Fed Perspectives page here. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page. Thank you to our sponsor vTech Solution.