The MATTER Health Podcast

2025: Supplemental Benefits Take Front Seat for Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are set to change with new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and increased competition. This event explores the upcoming regulatory changes, including the annual review of Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), which will assess how these benefits impact member health. Starting in 2026, Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) will also be required to notify members about unused supplemental benefits mid-year, improving health equity and ensuring enrollees are aware of available resources. Hear our conversation with Amy Schiffman, CEO of AgeTech DC and CMO of Heal Pros, and Doron Porat, co-founder and CEO of ActiveAging, about strategies for enhancing member outcomes and satisfaction, with a focus on addressing social determinants of health such as transportation, meals and housing support. Learn how MA plans can improve Star Ratings, boost retention and close care gaps by offering targeted, effective benefits. The event also showcases tools like ActiveAging’s ActiveAgent platform, an AI-driven tool that ensures its members are fully utilizing supplemental benefits, driving engagement, satisfaction, retention and Star Ratings. Attendees gained key insights to remain competitive, meet CMS requirements and position their plans for long-term financial sustainability. This conversation was moderated by John Achoukian, executive in residence at MATTER. For more information, visit matter.health [https://matter.health/] and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTER [https://www.linkedin.com/company/matter-chicago] Twitter @MATTERhealth [https://twitter.com/MATTERhealth] Instagram @matterhealth [https://www.instagram.com/matterhealth/]

Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Continuing forward stronger than before

Cyberattacks on hospital systems across the United States are becoming increasingly frequent. These attacks have resulted in major disruptions to patient care and breaches of financial information and other sensitive information, despite significant investments in cybersecurity. The current landscape demonstrates a critical need for a new approach — one that combines protective measures with enhanced resilience. Leading hospital systems have been working closely with accentedge to implement resilience protocols, ensuring that the impact of cyberattacks on patient care and hospital operations remains minimal. This approach not only secures healthcare services, but also diminishes cybercriminal incentives by eliminating financial gain as the sole objective of these attacks. At this event, Syed Alam, founder & CEO of accentedge [https://www.accentedge.com/#], shared insights into this transformative approach, drawing parallels with other critical infrastructure sectors like power and telecommunications, where continuity is paramount. Additionally, Syed joined the panel discussion with Dr. Tom Shanley, president & CEO of Lurie Children’s Hospital, and John Riggi, national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association, to discuss how to shape a resilient healthcare framework — one that safeguards patients, ensures operational stability and reinforces the foundation of our critical healthcare systems. MATTER CEO Steven Collens moderated the panel. For more information, visit matter.health [https://matter.health/] and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTER [https://www.linkedin.com/company/matter-chicago] Twitter @MATTERhealth [https://twitter.com/MATTERhealth] Instagram @matterhealth [https://www.instagram.com/matterhealth/]

Advancing Health Equity: Innovations in Pediatrics

In this episode of our Advancing Health Equity series, you’ll hear from Dr. Joseph Wright, Chief Health Equity Officer at the American Academy of Pediatrics. A nationally recognized expert in pediatric emergency medicine, Dr. Wright has dedicated his career to advancing child health through advocacy, equity and injury prevention, with over 120 publications and numerous awards to his name. Interviewed by Dr. Jacqueline Douge, a pediatrician and leading voice in health equity, this conversation delves into the systemic challenges impacting children’s health and explores actionable solutions to close equity gaps. Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring discussion! For more information, visit matter.health [https://matter.health/] and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTER [https://www.linkedin.com/company/matter-chicago] Twitter @MATTERhealth [https://twitter.com/MATTERhealth] Instagram @matterhealth [https://www.instagram.com/matterhealth/]

Advancing Health Equity: Artificial Intelligence

In this episode of Advancing Health Equity, Dr. Maia Hightower, CEO of Equality AI [https://www.equalityai.com/] and former Chief Digital Transformation Officer at the University of Chicago Medicine, joins Steven Collens, CEO of MATTER, to explore the transformative role of AI in advancing health equity. With over 20 years of experience in medicine and healthcare leadership, Dr. Hightower shares her expert insights on how artificial intelligence can address disparities and improve patient outcomes. From her time practicing medicine to shaping digital health strategies, she provides a compelling perspective on leveraging technology to create a more equitable healthcare system. Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion on innovation and inclusion. About Advancing Health Equity MATTER’s Advancing Health Equity podcast series focuses on unpacking the complexities of health inequities impacting the healthcare system and the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. These 20-30 minute interview-style sessions are meant to take quick dives into critical areas of health equity and answer questions like: * What does health equity mean today? * Where do current gaps exist in the various areas of healthcare? * Where do we see intersections in care? * How can technology and innovation be leveraged strategically to positively make a change? For more information, visit matter.health [https://matter.health/] and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTER [https://www.linkedin.com/company/matter-chicago] Twitter @MATTERhealth [https://twitter.com/MATTERhealth] Instagram @matterhealth [https://www.instagram.com/matterhealth/]

Healthcare Horizons: AI-driven Innovations in Mental Health Products with Hafeezah Muhammed

In the fourth episode of season two of Healthcare Horizons, MATTER CEO Steven Collens welcomes Hafeezah Muhammed, founder and CEO of Backpack Healthcare [https://hellobackpack.com/], to discuss how her company is redefining youth mental health support through innovative, AI-driven solutions. Backpack Healthcare is on a mission to provide inclusive and accessible mental health resources that empower young people and their families. Hafeezah shares her inspiration behind creating Backpack, the company's unique approach to trust and safety in AI and their recent $14 million funding milestone. Discover how this trailblazing company is using technology to lighten the emotional burdens we all carry and reshape the future of mental health care. Take a listen to their full conversation! For more information, visit matter.health [https://matter.health/] and follow us on social: LinkedIn @MATTER [https://www.linkedin.com/company/matter-chicago] Twitter @MATTERhealth [https://twitter.com/MATTERhealth] Instagram @matterhealth [https://www.instagram.com/matterhealth/]