FLAACOs 2025
Better Together:
Reflections on FLAACOs 2025 and the Power of Collaborative ACO Leadership
By Kelly Hidde
It’s taken me a little time to share my reflections from FLAACOs 2025—not for lack of inspiration, but because the moment I returned, I dove right back into the work of supporting clients, teams, and care partners.
That small pause actually gave me perspective. It reminded me just how valuable the conference was – not only for the sessions and discussions, but for how immediately those takeaways began to shape the conversations I’ve been having since.
FLAACOs 2025 wasn’t just a conference. It was a reminder that in today’s healthcare environment (that is full of regulatory shifts, accelerated technology, and evolving patient expectations), collaboration isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.
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1️⃣ Collaboration Is the Core of Progress
One of the most energizing aspects of this year’s event was how collaborative it felt. Many sessions took on a roundtable format, moving away from “presentation” and toward shared experience.
From Inside the Black Box: Actuarial Science Meets Healthcare Strategy to the panels on behavioral health and AI in care delivery, a consistent message came through: peer-to-peer learning is where innovation actually lives.
I also had the opportunity to share an initiative that resonated with many attendees – our Health Access ID Card, designed to bring health data directly to patients. That conversation opened up an exciting dialogue about shifting from a provider-controlled model to one where patients are truly empowered by their data.
When information is portable, transparent, and actionable, patients step more confidently into their own care story.
💡What to consider:
If your organization hasn’t built structured collaboration into its operations (with other ACOs, within your provider network, or even with patients), now’s the time. The conversations that happened in Florida made it clear: no single organization has all the answers, but together, the insights are powerful.
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2️⃣ Policy Change Is Constant—Collaboration Builds Agility
The latest Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) results tell an impressive story: ACOs saved Medicare approximately $2.5 billion in 2024, with 75% of ACOs earning performance payments. That’s meaningful, measurable impact across more than 10 million beneficiaries.
At the same time, new frameworks like the Accountable Care Prospective Trend (ACPT) adjustment are reshaping how benchmarks are applied, particularly for new entrants. And with ACO REACH continuing through 2026, CMS is still refining how risk, quality, and equity intersect in value-based care.
The path forward won’t be static.
💡What to consider:
Use the momentum of collaboration to debrief MSSP results with peers. What strategies worked? Where did others struggle? How are organizations adapting to ACPT or ACO REACH changes? Collaboration isn’t just about learning what’s proven. It’s about spotting what’s changing.
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3️⃣ Empowering Patients Through Data
One of the most rewarding parts of this year’s FLAACOs was hearing how deeply the concept of patient data ownership resonated. When I introduced the Health Access ID Card, the feedback was clear. This isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a next step in care transformation.
Across multiple sessions (from behavioral health to AI’s Trust Tipping Point) the throughline was unmistakable: enabling patient trust begins with transparency and control.
Whether it’s through mobile apps, connected devices, or ID cards, the goal is the same … equip patients to be agents in their own care.
💡What to consider:
Look closely at how your organization manages and shares data. Do your patients see what your teams see? Can they carry their own health information from one provider to another? Empowerment begins with access and it’s becoming a key differentiator for successful ACOs.
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4️⃣ The Government Shutdown: A Stress Test for System Resilience
Even amid the optimism at FLAACOs, the looming federal government shutdown served as a reminder of just how interconnected our system is.
As of October 1, 2025, CMS continues only essential operations (including claims processing and payments) while policy development, quality reporting support, and new model guidance remain paused.
For ACOs, that brings uncertainty around telehealth flexibilities, hospital-at-home waivers, and upcoming PY2026 transitions under both MSSP and ACO REACH.
💡What to consider:
This is where collaboration becomes mission-critical. Sharing contingency plans, patient communication templates, and vendor strategies can help organizations stay nimble. Keep a pulse on CMS updates and be ready to act … together.
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5️⃣ Speaker Trends and Industry Shifts
The FLAACOs 2025 lineup reflected the evolving priorities of accountable care:
- Primary care-led ACOs are taking center stage with bold, scalable strategies.
- Behavioral health and social determinants of health (SDoH) are no longer side conversations, They’re core to value-based success.
- Actuarial modeling and AI are now table stakes, not add-ons.
- Trust, transparency, and ethics are shaping every discussion on data and technology.
What unites all of this? The growing need for shared knowledge, interdisciplinary partnerships, and patient inclusion in every layer of the system.
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Three Commitments Moving Forward
Reflecting on the sessions, hallway conversations, and follow-ups since, a few next steps feel clear:
Peer-Led Strategy Forums: Keep the roundtable momentum going. Create quarterly or regional strategy exchanges that focus on collective progress rather than competition.
Patient Data Portability Pilots: Expand pilot initiatives like the Health Access ID Card with ACO and tech partners. Make data flow not just secure, but empowering.
Policy Resilience Collaboration: As the shutdown continues, coordinate with peers to align on interpretations, communicate changes to patients, and advocate together for stability and clarity.
Final Reflections
FLAACOs 2025 felt different … not performative, but practical. It wasn’t about pitching ideas; it was about solving problems.
In a year where ACOs hit record savings, it was encouraging to see leaders asking not, “What did we achieve?” but “How can we do better — together?”
As 2026 approaches, it’s clear that the ACOs positioned for success won’t be the ones operating in isolation. They’ll be the ones building shared infrastructure for governance, learning, and above all, for empowering the people they serve.
If you were there this year, let’s stay connected. And if you missed it, don’t worry. The work that starts at FLAACOs continues all year long. Because the future of accountable care isn’t built alone. It’s built together.
