Coral’s Four Takeaways from the Fall 2026 NAACOS Conference
At the Fall 2026 NAACOS Conference, Coral Health Advisors joined accountable care leaders, providers, and industry partners for conversations about the evolving value-based care landscape. Across sessions, it was clear that succeeding in accountable care takes more than participating in new payment models; it also requires organizations to think creatively about how they deliver care, coordinate across teams, and build a culture of accountability.
Here are four themes from the conference that stood out to our team.
1. Accountability is becoming an organizational-level priority
In sessions and conversations at NAACOS, we heard a growing emphasis on health systems and provider organizations taking a more holistic approach to their value-based care strategies, rather than treating accountable care as a standalone program. Speakers highlighted the importance of building a culture of accountability within their organizations and applying lessons from accountable care across programs and clinical settings.
This focus on accountability also raised questions about how organizations structure their value-based care partnerships. Independent practices are exploring ways to gain more control over their arrangements with enablers and aggregators, while health systems are increasingly looking for partners to help guide their value-based care strategy. In either case, organizations are grappling with who ultimately owns accountable care decisions and outcomes.
2. Whole-person care requires coordination across the continuum
From behavioral health to post-acute services and end-of-life care, conference discussions emphasized the importance of coordinating care across settings and throughout a patient's life.
Several conversations explored how wraparound services can complement the care clinicians provide. Palliative and end-of-life care were raised in multiple conversations, as well as the role of community partners and other support services in caring for complex populations. Making the most of these resources requires actually connecting patients with services that complement the care their physicians provide. In a session on transitions of care, panelists shared practical approaches to coordinating these efforts, including matching patients with the appropriate clinical staff, dedicating analytics support to care management, and standardizing workflows.
3. Innovation continues, but data remain a challenge
AI was a frequent topic at NAACOS, with discussions focusing on practical applications such as ambient documentation, patient outreach, and scheduling. These tools have the potential to reduce administrative work and give clinicians more time for patient care, although speakers also raised concerns about liability and the need for appropriate oversight.
Beyond AI, organizations continue to face challenges with data availability, interoperability, and integrating information into clinical workflows. These challenges surfaced in multiple discussions, from behavioral health integration to quality reporting. Across these conversations, speakers emphasized the importance of not only making data accessible, but also ensuring it is timely enough to inform care decisions.
4. Payment model decisions require a broad strategic lens
As organizations weigh participation in MSSP, LEAD, and other CMS models, financial projections are only one part of the decision. Risk tolerance, cash flow needs, operational readiness, and model stability also influence which opportunities make sense for an organization. That tension was a central topic in the session “The Next Decision Point: MSSP, LEAD, and the Financial Road Ahead,” where panelists discussed the challenge of balancing financial opportunities with operational concerns and longer-term strategic priorities.
Participation requirements can also shape how organizations structure and manage their provider networks. For example, LEAD's TIN-level participation requirements may be a limitation for some organizations and may require them to establish different incentive arrangements for provider groups. The discussion reinforced the importance of evaluating not just a model's potential financial returns, but also how its requirements align with an organization's existing structure and priorities. With CMS programs continuing to evolve, organizations should begin these evaluations early, allowing time to make informed decisions and prepare for upcoming participation requirements.
Looking Ahead
The conversations at NAACOS reflected enthusiasm for the direction of accountable care, alongside recognition of the operational challenges involved in making it work. At Coral, we help organizations look beyond the requirements of individual programs to consider the broader strategies, organizational structures, and operating models needed to deliver on accountable care goals. If your organization would benefit from support in making key decisions and putting those strategies into practice, please reach out at info@coralhealthadvisors.com.