Thursday September 24th

→ Practical Applications of AI in Healthcare Operations 

This interactive workshop will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping healthcare operations, clinical workflows, and administrative processes. Attendees will examine real-world AI use cases already being deployed by medical groups, including coding automation, staffing optimization, patient communication, and data analytics. The workshop will also address implementation considerations, governance, and the potential long-term impact of AI on healthcare labor and operating costs.

Friday September 25th 

→ Enhancing Practice Economics 

Independent medical groups are navigating increasing financial pressure from shifting payer dynamics, reimbursement challenges, and evolving payment models. This session will provide actionable strategies to strengthen financial performance – from optimizing payer negotiations and revenue cycle operations to exploring direct-to-employer opportunities, ancillary service growth, and real estate ownership. Attendees will also gain insights into managing Medicaid reimbursement, improving operational efficiency through technology and AI, and structuring effective compensation models. The session will highlight what’s working in value-based care today and where innovative models are heading next.

→ Physician Recruitment, Retention & Development, and Management 

With hospitals and specialty practices offering increasingly competitive packages, this session will examine how independent groups are recruiting and retaining physicians. Topics will include compensation design, onboarding processes, and communicating the advantages of private practice, such as physician autonomy and involvement in decision-making. Additional discussion will focus on ownership opportunities, buy-in structures, and leadership development to support long-term engagement and succession planning.

→ Benchmarking

The CBIZ team will share the operational and financial benchmarks that can help independent groups evaluate performance and identify opportunities for improvement. Drawing from already-submitted member data, the presentation will cover critical metrics and show how leaders can apply these metrics to guide decisions, improve efficiency, and enhance long-term sustainability.

→ Legislative Challenges in the Healthcare Landscape 

The regulatory landscape for healthcare is shifting rapidly, with federal and state-level changes introducing both challenges and opportunities for independent medical groups. In this timely session, an expert will provide an insider’s perspective on key legislative developments across the country.

Saturday September 26th 

→ Managing Hospital Relationships – Competition or Collaboration 

Relationships between independent practices and hospitals continue to evolve, creating both competitive and collaborative challenges. This session will explore key areas of interaction, including physician recruitment dynamics between private practice and hospitals, rural hospital partnerships, and care coordination where cost differences are measurable. Additional topics include anesthesia access, price transparency, site-of-care considerations such as ASC vs. HOPD cost differentials, and potential joint venture opportunities.

→ The Growing Role of Mid-Level Providers

As physician shortages persist and demand for care increases, practices are expanding the use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to improve access and efficiency. This session will explore models for extended access, including evening and weekend urgent care, as well as different staffing structures such as physician-aligned and shared mid-level models. Discussion will also include clinical roles across surgical and office settings, along with evolving governance considerations, including participation in leadership, compensation structures, and potential ownership or profit-sharing arrangements.

→ Governance & Shareholder Alignment in Growing Practices 

As medical groups grow and ownership structures become more complex, maintaining alignment among physician partners is critical. This session will explore best practices for transparency in financial reporting and communication, approaches to managing generational differences, and strategies for addressing internal conflict while preserving a collaborative culture. Panelists will also discuss how their organizations are fostering trust, accountability, and long-term alignment among shareholders.