VBC Insights: HIMSS 2026: AI, Data, and the Future of Care

As financial pressures intensify across healthcare, payers are rethinking traditional strategies and accelerating their transition to value-based care. On this episode Dan speaks with Joe Mangrum, Partner at ECG Management Consultants, about how payers are adapting to rising medical costs, tightening Medicare Advantage margins, and increasing regulatory demands. Together, they unpack how payer strategies are shifting from broad network expansion to more selective, high-performing partnerships, with a growing emphasis on disciplined, data-driven decision-making. The discussion highlights the critical role of payer-provider collaboration in managing total cost of care, along with the increasing importance of data sharing, risk stratification, and more mature value-based arrangements. The episode offers practical insights into aligning incentives, strengthening partnerships, and building sustainable care models for the future.