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2027 Medicare Advantage Strategy: What Plans Are Changing Now for 2029 Stars

2027 Medicare Advantage Strategy: What Plans Are Changing Now for 2029 Stars

Daniel Weaver

Senior Vice President of
Stars and Quality,
Zing Health

Daniel Weaver is the Senior Vice President of Stars and Quality at Zing Health. With over 25 years of experience in Operations and Star Ratings strategy, Daniel has previously served as VP, Government Quality Programs at Gateway Health and Director of Stars Programs at Highmark Health, helping both organizations achieve and maintain their first 4.5 Star Ratings. In his career, Dan has overseen the development and implementation of many analytics-driven and customer-focused programs, and he advocates for continuous improvement and operational excellence philosophies for sustained success. In his new role with Zing Health, Daniel will focus on implementing a high-performing Stars infrastructure to support the organization’s rapid growth with a focus on servicing special needs members in several states.

Michael Farina

VP Healthcare Quality,
Capital District Physicians'
Health Plan, Inc.

Mr. Farina is the VP Healthcare Quality of CDPHP. His responsibilities include day-to-day operational aspects of the quality department.

Mr. Farina began his career in 1988 as a staff pharmacist at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady NY until 2001. Michael worked for MVP Health Care in Schenectady, NY from 2001 to 2019 in both the pharmacy and quality departments before joining CDPHP in 2019.  

Mr. Farina currently sits on the board of directors of the Trinity Alliance in Albany, NY. He also is a member of the NCQA Technical Measurement Advisory Panel (TMAP) that provides recommendations for all HEDIS measures. 

Mr. Farina earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Albany College of Pharmacy, and a Master of Business Administration in Health Care from Union College. Michael is a registered pharmacist in New York State.

Michael and his wife, Mary Lee, reside in Ballston Spa, NY. In their spare time they enjoy golf and traveling.

Mariah Osborn

Director of Medicare Stars,
UPMC Health Plan

Mariah Osborn, BSN, RN, serves as Director of Medicare Stars at UPMC Health Plan, where she focuses on using data to improve healthcare quality and outcomes for Medicare Advantage and D-SNP members. She works across the organization to turn complex performance data, regulatory requirements, and member insights into practical strategies that drive results. Her work combines her clinical background, analytics, and operational leadership to advance quality performance while keeping the member experience at the center of decision-making. 

David Burianek

Chief Strategy Officer,
MedOrion

Dave Burianek is one of the nation’s leading experts in healthcare transformation, innovation, quality and information technology. He participates on national forums such as the National Center for Quality Assurance (NCQA), The Core Quality Measure Collaborative, National Quality Forum and Pharmacy Quality Alliance healthcare strategy and measurement. He has spoken at key industry conferences and has been an advisor to several organizations/startups. Finally, Dave was recognized by the University of Kentucky and inducted into their Hall of Distinction for his contributions in healthcare as well as recognized by the Governor of Kentucky as a Kentucky Colonel, the highest distinction the Kentucky Governor can bestow on a private citizen.

Over the last 20+ years, Dave has been on a quest to fix/improve healthcare especially from the member/consumer perspective. He has held senior executive positions across technology, payor and provider organizations. His areas of expertise are focused on healthcare, information technology, strategic growth, innovation using AI, product development, quality and overall leadership. As developed through his early career with GE, his leadership focuses on collaboration and teamwork with operational excellence using innovation/IT as core elements of his DNA. His current role in a Venture Capital funded company focuses on bringing technology to payors, providers and life sciences groups improving the health of consumers by leveraging behavioral science and AI driving health behavior management.

2027 Medicare Advantage Strategy: What Plans Are Changing Now for 2029 Stars

What should Medicare Advantage plans change now to improve performance in 2027 and prepare for the 2029 Star Ratings?

In this episode of Bright Spots in Healthcare, leaders from Zing Health, CDPHP, UPMC Health Plan and MedOrionshare how MA plans are acting earlier, prioritizing limited resources, improving Stars and quality performance, and reducing reliance on the traditional fourth-quarter scramble.

The discussion gets practical: how plans are using existing data sooner, turning clinical insights into action, coordinating with providers, reaching harder-to-engage members, and deciding where limited engagement resources can have the greatest impact.

Daniel Weaver

Senior Vice President of
Stars and Quality,
Zing Health

Michael Farina

VP Healthcare Quality,
Capital District Physicians'
Health Plan, Inc.

Mariah Osborn

Director of Medicare Stars,
UPMC Health Plan

David Burianek

Chief Strategy Officer,
MedOrion

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