Are you ready to go Abarca Forward?
Reimagining Healthcare. Together.
Since 2022, Abarca Forward has united innovators and changemakers to challenge norms, test bold ideas, and co-create a better healthcare experience.
In 2026, we go deep. Prior Authorization is at the core of coverage, where access, cost, and experience converge. Abarca Forward 2026 will bring together patients, providers, payers, and technology partners to reimagine PA as a tool to make access to healthcare more seamless and personalized, rather than a barrier. As we finalize the agenda and speakers get a sneak peak on what to expect below.
Agenda
Tuesday, February 24
7:15 AM - 7:30 AM
Shuttles from hotel to Oasis Santurce
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
Registration & Breakfast
8:45 AM – 8:55 AM
Opening
Opens the fifth-anniversary edition of Abarca Forward, celebrating five years of bold ideas and setting the tone for a deep exploration into the future of Prior Authorization.
Jesse Ruzicka, Abarca Health
8:55 AM – 9:05 AM
Setting the Tone: Why We’re Here
A brief framing of the purpose and ambition of Abarca Forward 2026. This moment grounds the room in why PAs matters now, what we aim to challenge, and how every participant plays a role in shaping solutions. The tone is set for candor, collaboration, and bold thinking before we dive into the day’s conversations.
Jason Borschow, Abarca Health
9:05 AM – 10:05 AM
Plenary Panel: The Current State of Prior Authorization
Different Perspectives: Patients, Providers, and Payers. A cross-sector conversation exploring how PA operates today—and where it fails. From payers’ clinical and administrative priorities to providers’ workflow challenges and patient frustrations, this panel establishes the shared starting point for transformation.
Colin Banas, Dr First
Javier Gonzalez, Abarca Health
Joe Cardosi, Free Market Health
Suzanne Trautman, Blue Cross Blue Shield NC
Tanvi Patel, Amazon Pharmacy
10:05 AM – 10:25 AM
Coffee Break & Networking at Theater
10:25 AM – 10:35 AM
“A Better PAth: Prior Authorization Reimagined”
PA has long been synonymous with friction — but it doesn’t have to be. Jason frames PA as the foundation for smarter coverage, balancing cost, experience, and AI-driven innovation.
Jason Borschow, Abarca Health
10:35 AM – 11:20 AM
Keynote: “Reimagining Utilization Management”
A federal perspective on the future of utilization management and electronic PA standards—how policyis catching up to innovation, and what it means for health plans, providers, and technology partners.
Chris Klomp, CMS
11:20 AM – 12:05 PM
Lightning Rounds of Innovation: What’s Out There Already?
Rapid-fire spotlights from leading innovators transforming PA and utilization management today. Featuring short demos and showcases from:
Akeel Williams, CoverMyMeds
Andrew Mellin, Surescripts
Diana Benli, Cognizant
Kyle Kiser, Arrive Health
Sri Somasundaram, Latent Health
12:05 PM – 12:35 PM
Reaction Panel: Technology
A high-level conversation on how AI, interoperability, and incentives must align to enable PA—not a bottleneck—of healthcare transformation.
Bertil Chappuis, Xtillion
Greg Ryslik, Stellarus
12:35 PM – 1:45 PM
Networking Lunch
1:45 PM – 2:05 PM
Design the UM of Tomorrow
A challenging presentation that starts by outlining the opportunity before the co-creation. How can PAtransform from an administrative task into a clinical decision support tool? What new incentives andstandards are needed to achieve value-based outcomes?
Adriana Ramirez, Abarca Health
2:05 PM – 3:35 PM
Co-Creation Workshops (90 Minutes)
Attendees break into five design workgroups, each focused on a core vantage point of the ecosystem. Each group will prototype solutions and define guiding principles for the future of PA.
Workgroup themes:
-
Designing intelligent, value-driven UM
-
Streamlining workflows and clinical appropriateness
-
Transparency, experience, and access for Patients
-
Interoperability and AI integration
-
Managing specialty drugs and coverage innovation
The group will be divided into 5 groups led by our Mentors:
Guillermo Mirandes, Xtillion
Iris Morant, MSO of Puerto Rico
John Barto, Microsoft
Nury Toledo, Triple-S
Susan Thomas, LucyRx
Sheri Zapp, PerformRx
Satyashree Pandey, Blue Shield of California/Stellarus
3:35 PM – 4:05 PM
Coffee Break & Networking
4:05 PM – 4:30 PM
Ideas to Action: From Design to Reality
Workshop teams present key takeaways. Together, the audience distills “Principles for the Future of Prior Authorization”.
Adriana Ramirez, Abarca Health
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks
A call to action: turning ideas into movement and collaboration.
Jason Borschow, Abarca Health
5:00 PM -- 6:00 PM
Networking Mixer at Oasis Santurce
Celebrate the close of the main event with colleagues, speakers, and partners.
Jason Borschow, Abarca Health
Conference Schedule
August 17, 2035
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Group Activity
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Deep Learning Demystified
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Coffee Break
12:00 PM - 13:00 PM
AI and the Future of Work
13:00 PM - 14:00 PM
Lunch Break
14:00 PM - 15:00 PM
Panel Discussion: How Companies Are Using AI to Succeed
15:00 PM - 15:30 PM
Coffee Break
10:35 AM – 11:20 AM
Keynote: “Reimagining Utilization Management”
A federal perspective on the future of utilization management and electronic PA standards—how policyis catching up to innovation, and what it means for health plans, providers, and technology partners.
Chris Klomp, CMS
15:30 PM - 16:30 PM
Fireside Chat with an AI Leader
16:30 PM - 17:30 PM
Interactive Session: Brainstorming AI Solutions for Your Department
17:30 PM - 18:00 PM
Interactive Workshop: Building Your First AI Project
12:05 PM – 12:35 PM
Theater Stage
Reaction Panel: Technology
A high-level conversation on how AI, interoperability, and incentives must align to enable PA—not a bottleneck—of healthcare transformation.
Bertil Chappuis, Xtillion
Melissa Honour, Stellarus
Vanessa Colella, Stellarus
1:45 PM – 2:05 PM
8th Floor Rotunda
Design the UM of Tomorrow
A challenging presentation that starts by outlining the opportunity before the co-creation. How can PAtransform from an administrative task into a clinical decision support tool? What new incentives andstandards are needed to achieve value-based outcomes?
Adriana Ramirez, Abarca Health
2:05 PM – 3:35 PM
8th Floor Rotunda
Co-Creation Workshops (90 Minutes)
Attendees break into five design workgroups, each focused on a core vantage point of the ecosystem. Each group will prototype solutions and define guiding principles for the future of PA.
Workgroup themes:
-
Designing intelligent, value-driven UM
-
Streamlining workflows and clinical appropriateness
-
Transparency, experience, and access for Patients
-
Interoperability and AI integration
-
Managing specialty drugs and coverage innovation
The group will be divided into 5 groups led by our Mentors:
Suzanne Trautman, Blue Cross North Carolina
Tanvi Patel, Amazon Pharmacy
Guillermo Mirandes, Xtillion
Iris Morant, MSO of Puerto Rico
John Barto, Microsoft
Nury Toledo, Triple-S
Susan Thomas, LucyRx
Sheri Zapp, PerformRx
Satyashree Pandey, Stellarus
3:35 PM – 4:05 PM
7th Floor
Coffee Break & Networking
4:05 PM – 4:30 PM
8th Floor Rotunda
Ideas to Action: From Design to Reality
Workshop teams present key takeaways. Together, the audience distills “Principles for the Future of Prior Authorization”.
Adriana Ramirez, Abarca Health
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
8th Floor Rotunda
Closing Remarks
A call to action: turning ideas into movement and collaboration.
Jason Borschow, Abarca Health
Conference Schedule
August 18, 2035
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Keynote: Building a Culture of Innovation with AI
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Developing a Strategic Roadmap
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Coffee Break
12:00 PM - 13:00 PM
Building and Managing AI Teams
13:00 PM - 14:00 PM
Lunch Break
14:00 PM - 15:00 PM
AI Success Stories in Lomexis
15:00 PM - 15:30 PM
Coffee Break
10:35 AM – 11:20 AM
Keynote: “Reimagining Utilization Management”
A federal perspective on the future of utilization management and electronic PA standards—how policyis catching up to innovation, and what it means for health plans, providers, and technology partners.
Chris Klomp, CMS
15:30 PM - 16:30 PM
Design Workshop for AI Innovation
16:30 PM - 17:30 PM
Closing Remarks & Farewell
17:30 PM - 20:30 PM
Company Dinner Party
12:05 PM – 12:35 PM
Theater Stage
Reaction Panel: Technology
A high-level conversation on how AI, interoperability, and incentives must align to enable PA—not a bottleneck—of healthcare transformation.
Bertil Chappuis, Xtillion
Melissa Honour, Stellarus
Vanessa Colella, Stellarus
1:45 PM – 2:05 PM
8th Floor Rotunda
Design the UM of Tomorrow
A challenging presentation that starts by outlining the opportunity before the co-creation. How can PAtransform from an administrative task into a clinical decision support tool? What new incentives andstandards are needed to achieve value-based outcomes?
Adriana Ramirez, Abarca Health
2:05 PM – 3:35 PM
8th Floor Rotunda
Co-Creation Workshops (90 Minutes)
Attendees break into five design workgroups, each focused on a core vantage point of the ecosystem. Each group will prototype solutions and define guiding principles for the future of PA.
Workgroup themes:
-
Designing intelligent, value-driven UM
-
Streamlining workflows and clinical appropriateness
-
Transparency, experience, and access for Patients
-
Interoperability and AI integration
-
Managing specialty drugs and coverage innovation
The group will be divided into 5 groups led by our Mentors:
Suzanne Trautman, Blue Cross North Carolina
Tanvi Patel, Amazon Pharmacy
Guillermo Mirandes, Xtillion
Iris Morant, MSO of Puerto Rico
John Barto, Microsoft
Nury Toledo, Triple-S
Susan Thomas, LucyRx
Sheri Zapp, PerformRx
Satyashree Pandey, Stellarus
3:35 PM – 4:05 PM
7th Floor
Coffee Break & Networking
4:05 PM – 4:30 PM
8th Floor Rotunda
Ideas to Action: From Design to Reality
Workshop teams present key takeaways. Together, the audience distills “Principles for the Future of Prior Authorization”.
Adriana Ramirez, Abarca Health
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
8th Floor Rotunda
Closing Remarks
A call to action: turning ideas into movement and collaboration.
Jason Borschow, Abarca Health
KEYNOTE | PANELS | RAPID FIRE | WORKSHOPS | CO-CREATION
