1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,500 Everyone. This is Jacob Emerson with the Becker's 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:03,699 Payer Issues podcast. 3 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:06,319 Thrilled today to be joined by Don Maroney, 4 00:00:06,319 --> 00:00:08,639 who is the president of Alignment Health and 5 00:00:08,639 --> 00:00:11,279 CEO of Alignment Health Plan. Don, thank you 6 00:00:11,279 --> 00:00:12,799 so much for taking the time to be 7 00:00:12,799 --> 00:00:15,054 with me on the podcast today. You're welcome. 8 00:00:15,514 --> 00:00:17,355 And and Dawn, before we dive into everything 9 00:00:17,355 --> 00:00:18,875 we wanna talk with you about, a pretty 10 00:00:18,875 --> 00:00:21,195 big issue and something really impactful that you 11 00:00:21,195 --> 00:00:22,175 did last week, 12 00:00:22,634 --> 00:00:23,754 can you tell us a little bit more 13 00:00:23,754 --> 00:00:26,314 about yourself and for our listeners who might 14 00:00:26,314 --> 00:00:28,794 not be familiar, what Alignment Health does and 15 00:00:28,794 --> 00:00:29,614 who you serve? 16 00:00:30,579 --> 00:00:31,079 Absolutely. 17 00:00:32,740 --> 00:00:34,280 Well, I actually, 18 00:00:34,979 --> 00:00:36,760 have been in the health care 19 00:00:37,219 --> 00:00:38,200 space primarily, 20 00:00:38,820 --> 00:00:42,179 working with Medicare beneficiaries for about thirty six 21 00:00:42,179 --> 00:00:43,000 plus years 22 00:00:43,664 --> 00:00:46,465 and with alignment for approximately eleven of those 23 00:00:46,465 --> 00:00:46,965 years. 24 00:00:47,425 --> 00:00:49,765 I've had the privilege of leading the organization 25 00:00:50,065 --> 00:00:53,185 that is, redefining how we serve seniors. And 26 00:00:53,185 --> 00:00:55,605 in alignment, we are a Medicare Advantage prescription 27 00:00:55,745 --> 00:00:56,965 drug plan primarily, 28 00:00:57,929 --> 00:01:01,710 serving in five states in Arizona, California, Nevada, 29 00:01:01,850 --> 00:01:02,350 Texas, 30 00:01:03,210 --> 00:01:04,030 North Carolina. 31 00:01:04,569 --> 00:01:07,770 Super excited about that. We're continuing to grow. 32 00:01:07,770 --> 00:01:08,909 We serve about 33 00:01:09,370 --> 00:01:10,510 200,000, 34 00:01:11,129 --> 00:01:12,510 Medicare Advantage lives, 35 00:01:13,084 --> 00:01:16,224 And it really is about transforming lives and 36 00:01:16,284 --> 00:01:17,984 being there when they need us most. 37 00:01:18,525 --> 00:01:20,944 And, so super excited about that. 38 00:01:21,484 --> 00:01:23,325 Well, appreciate you taking the time to sit 39 00:01:23,325 --> 00:01:25,644 down with us, Don. And, like you mentioned, 40 00:01:25,644 --> 00:01:27,509 you've been in the Medicare space for a 41 00:01:27,509 --> 00:01:29,989 long time, and you had to share your 42 00:01:29,989 --> 00:01:30,489 expertise, 43 00:01:31,509 --> 00:01:34,549 last week, July 22, as a witness in 44 00:01:34,549 --> 00:01:36,229 front of the House Committee on on Ways 45 00:01:36,229 --> 00:01:38,649 and Means and the Health and Oversight Subcommittees, 46 00:01:39,349 --> 00:01:41,450 in a joint hearing about the past lessons, 47 00:01:41,670 --> 00:01:42,489 current insights, 48 00:01:42,825 --> 00:01:43,965 and future opportunities 49 00:01:44,504 --> 00:01:46,284 within the Medicare Advantage program. 50 00:01:47,385 --> 00:01:50,344 Alongside you, we heard from academics and and 51 00:01:50,344 --> 00:01:52,844 from other Medicare Advantage insurers as well. 52 00:01:53,224 --> 00:01:55,189 So talk to us about what this experience 53 00:01:55,189 --> 00:01:56,630 was like for you. How how did it 54 00:01:56,630 --> 00:01:58,630 feel to testify before congress on on such 55 00:01:58,630 --> 00:01:59,930 a high stakes issue 56 00:02:00,230 --> 00:02:02,709 like Medicare Advantage, and and what motivated you 57 00:02:02,709 --> 00:02:05,109 both personally and professionally to take something like 58 00:02:05,109 --> 00:02:05,850 this on? 59 00:02:06,390 --> 00:02:09,074 Well, I love this program. I love, working 60 00:02:09,074 --> 00:02:11,094 with seniors and Medicare Advantage, 61 00:02:11,955 --> 00:02:14,435 you know, since the the very beginning, as 62 00:02:14,435 --> 00:02:15,794 many years as I can go back. I 63 00:02:15,794 --> 00:02:17,415 think it's 1989, 64 00:02:17,715 --> 00:02:18,215 specifically. 65 00:02:18,915 --> 00:02:20,375 And it was such an honor, 66 00:02:20,915 --> 00:02:24,050 to represent Alignment Health before congress, specifically, as 67 00:02:24,050 --> 00:02:26,849 you stated, the house, ways and means and 68 00:02:26,849 --> 00:02:27,909 oversight subcommittees, 69 00:02:28,930 --> 00:02:30,629 with, you know, chairman Buchanan, 70 00:02:31,250 --> 00:02:33,669 oversight subcommittee chairman, Schweikert, 71 00:02:34,129 --> 00:02:35,909 and then, of course, the ranking members, 72 00:02:36,370 --> 00:02:38,905 who as well as the full committee, which 73 00:02:38,905 --> 00:02:40,764 was exciting. It was a full house, 74 00:02:41,224 --> 00:02:42,824 including the overall chair, 75 00:02:43,704 --> 00:02:44,924 mister Smith. So 76 00:02:45,465 --> 00:02:47,944 very, very exciting on that. It was I 77 00:02:47,944 --> 00:02:49,224 mean, I was a little bit nervous because 78 00:02:49,224 --> 00:02:50,905 I wanted to make sure when, 79 00:02:51,465 --> 00:02:52,685 we talk about Medicare 80 00:02:53,069 --> 00:02:54,370 Advantage and the program 81 00:02:54,909 --> 00:02:57,150 when done right, how it saves lives, saves 82 00:02:57,150 --> 00:02:57,629 money. 83 00:02:58,110 --> 00:03:00,110 I was there to, you know, of course, 84 00:03:00,110 --> 00:03:02,129 spotlight what works and why it matters. 85 00:03:02,830 --> 00:03:05,150 This was a powerful opportunity to, you know, 86 00:03:05,150 --> 00:03:07,150 share our vision and how we can become 87 00:03:07,150 --> 00:03:09,735 more proactive, more personal, and purpose driven. 88 00:03:10,995 --> 00:03:13,794 It did give alignment the national platform to 89 00:03:13,794 --> 00:03:15,895 push policies that we believe, 90 00:03:16,275 --> 00:03:18,835 that were will reward the right kind of 91 00:03:18,835 --> 00:03:21,235 care, care that delivers better outcomes and real 92 00:03:21,235 --> 00:03:21,735 value. 93 00:03:22,310 --> 00:03:24,469 You know, being in health care for the 94 00:03:24,469 --> 00:03:25,610 past several decades, 95 00:03:26,229 --> 00:03:28,489 I wanted, you know, why you joined alignment. 96 00:03:28,789 --> 00:03:31,509 I wanted to become something, you know, just 97 00:03:31,509 --> 00:03:34,250 more than just providing just insurance, but really 98 00:03:34,469 --> 00:03:36,965 advocating for seniors with more compassion, 99 00:03:37,985 --> 00:03:39,284 accountable health system. 100 00:03:39,664 --> 00:03:41,824 And it's not just, you know, it's isn't 101 00:03:41,824 --> 00:03:44,384 just a privilege. It's a responsibility that, I 102 00:03:44,384 --> 00:03:47,104 take seriously, and it was such an honor 103 00:03:47,104 --> 00:03:47,925 to be there. 104 00:03:48,819 --> 00:03:50,919 Absolutely. That's that's really great to hear, 105 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:53,219 and how you advocated on behalf of your 106 00:03:53,219 --> 00:03:55,560 members and and, of course, the wider program. 107 00:03:56,180 --> 00:03:58,180 Don, it's it's certainly no secret that the 108 00:03:58,180 --> 00:03:59,699 that the MA program has faced a lot 109 00:03:59,699 --> 00:04:02,520 of challenges these these last few years. And 110 00:04:02,564 --> 00:04:04,485 so I wonder, you know, what were some 111 00:04:04,485 --> 00:04:07,125 of the most urgent changes that alignment was 112 00:04:07,125 --> 00:04:09,205 advocating for and that you wanna see from 113 00:04:09,205 --> 00:04:11,544 lawmakers when it comes to the future 114 00:04:11,844 --> 00:04:14,085 of Medicare Advantage, especially in light of some 115 00:04:14,085 --> 00:04:17,080 of the more recent regulatory and, reimbursement trends 116 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:18,264 we we've seen? 117 00:04:18,939 --> 00:04:21,420 Yeah. It it is, it has been. I 118 00:04:21,420 --> 00:04:23,899 think it's been probably the most challenging in 119 00:04:23,899 --> 00:04:24,560 the last, 120 00:04:25,100 --> 00:04:27,420 you know, eighteen to twenty four months, I 121 00:04:27,420 --> 00:04:29,100 would say more and more with, some of 122 00:04:29,100 --> 00:04:31,020 the regulatory policies as well as some of 123 00:04:31,020 --> 00:04:33,600 the changes that, you know, everybody wants. 124 00:04:34,035 --> 00:04:36,754 And, for us, you know, our positioning, there's 125 00:04:36,915 --> 00:04:38,675 you know, we believe that there's a couple 126 00:04:38,675 --> 00:04:39,415 of priorities, 127 00:04:40,115 --> 00:04:42,514 that can address some of the concerns of 128 00:04:42,514 --> 00:04:44,995 the congressional leadership that, you know, they talked 129 00:04:44,995 --> 00:04:46,055 about prior authorization. 130 00:04:46,675 --> 00:04:48,115 They talked about rural care, 131 00:04:48,919 --> 00:04:50,839 and making sure that, you know, as this 132 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:53,399 plan has more than 50% beneficiaries that are 133 00:04:53,399 --> 00:04:55,560 in the environment that are and people are 134 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:57,879 electing to choose that. How do you get 135 00:04:57,879 --> 00:05:00,779 plans like this even in more rural counties? 136 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:03,045 And so one, I would put out, 137 00:05:03,605 --> 00:05:04,105 really, 138 00:05:04,564 --> 00:05:07,384 hospital parity. Too many large hospital systems, 139 00:05:07,845 --> 00:05:09,785 or even smaller community hospitals, 140 00:05:10,165 --> 00:05:10,665 systems 141 00:05:11,444 --> 00:05:13,705 in, rural counties or in counties, 142 00:05:14,165 --> 00:05:17,365 declined to contract with higher performing smaller MA 143 00:05:17,365 --> 00:05:18,585 plans such as ours. 144 00:05:19,199 --> 00:05:22,480 This undermines access and competition, especially in those 145 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:22,980 markets. 146 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:24,259 We believe, 147 00:05:24,879 --> 00:05:25,379 that 148 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:27,699 if a policy were generated 149 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:29,379 to push 150 00:05:29,759 --> 00:05:30,259 where 151 00:05:31,064 --> 00:05:34,345 every hospital, if they're accepting Medicare fee for 152 00:05:34,345 --> 00:05:34,845 service, 153 00:05:35,545 --> 00:05:39,245 that they should automatically accept Medicare Advantage contracts. 154 00:05:39,384 --> 00:05:41,545 Now there can be a baseline of, those 155 00:05:41,545 --> 00:05:42,764 contracts. For example, 156 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:45,840 at minimum, if there's not a value pay 157 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:46,980 value based care 158 00:05:47,520 --> 00:05:50,100 agreement, then we would default to a Medicare 159 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:52,240 fee for service contract, meaning we'd pay a 160 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:55,120 100% what Medicare does, and this would give 161 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:55,860 some flexibility 162 00:05:56,240 --> 00:05:58,420 and some competition in those markets, 163 00:05:58,774 --> 00:06:01,095 but it should be hospital parity across the 164 00:06:01,095 --> 00:06:01,595 board. 165 00:06:02,134 --> 00:06:04,694 The other area which we're seeing and as 166 00:06:04,694 --> 00:06:07,254 you're you know, we're seeing some other changes 167 00:06:07,254 --> 00:06:08,314 in other sectors, 168 00:06:08,855 --> 00:06:09,355 specifically 169 00:06:09,814 --> 00:06:10,555 on Medicaid, 170 00:06:11,415 --> 00:06:13,689 we're seeing, you know, that the force and 171 00:06:13,689 --> 00:06:15,849 the push in the last several years is 172 00:06:15,849 --> 00:06:16,589 to push 173 00:06:17,209 --> 00:06:17,709 Medicare 174 00:06:18,490 --> 00:06:22,029 Advantage members that have dual eligible status 175 00:06:22,810 --> 00:06:25,474 to be enrolled in an exclusively 176 00:06:25,774 --> 00:06:26,274 aligned 177 00:06:26,654 --> 00:06:27,154 plan. 178 00:06:27,534 --> 00:06:29,854 And this is not just California, but there 179 00:06:29,854 --> 00:06:32,334 are multiple states that are pushing this agenda 180 00:06:32,334 --> 00:06:35,794 where they automatically default to those plans. 181 00:06:36,735 --> 00:06:38,034 I think, you know, 182 00:06:38,654 --> 00:06:39,394 those programs 183 00:06:39,860 --> 00:06:41,779 absolutely should be there, but they should also 184 00:06:41,779 --> 00:06:44,279 stand alone, and they should still have competition. 185 00:06:44,980 --> 00:06:46,199 The Medicare Advantage 186 00:06:46,580 --> 00:06:49,060 that seniors should not be limited on their 187 00:06:49,060 --> 00:06:51,399 choice and selection of what they're choosing, 188 00:06:52,194 --> 00:06:54,354 Especially when you look at an organization like 189 00:06:54,354 --> 00:06:57,074 ours, a 100% of our members across all 190 00:06:57,074 --> 00:06:59,074 of our states are in a four star 191 00:06:59,074 --> 00:06:59,735 or greater. 192 00:07:00,035 --> 00:07:01,875 And I talked about this last week as 193 00:07:01,875 --> 00:07:02,375 well 194 00:07:02,834 --> 00:07:04,514 that we are one of, you know, as 195 00:07:04,514 --> 00:07:06,209 I said nine, but we're actually one of 196 00:07:06,449 --> 00:07:09,329 seven Medicare Advantage Plans across the country that 197 00:07:09,329 --> 00:07:11,509 qualify for a five star plan. 198 00:07:11,810 --> 00:07:14,689 And we believe continuing on, we should hope 199 00:07:14,689 --> 00:07:16,930 to see that that we'll be consistent in 200 00:07:16,930 --> 00:07:18,930 that category as we look at this fall 201 00:07:18,930 --> 00:07:19,829 and open enrollment. 202 00:07:20,449 --> 00:07:20,949 But 203 00:07:21,754 --> 00:07:25,514 dual eligible beneficiaries, which are commonly have multiple 204 00:07:25,514 --> 00:07:26,415 chronic conditions, 205 00:07:26,954 --> 00:07:28,095 have lower incomes, 206 00:07:28,555 --> 00:07:30,095 they have, you know, 207 00:07:30,634 --> 00:07:32,875 less flexibility of what to choose if they're 208 00:07:32,875 --> 00:07:35,250 defaulted into a plan. I don't think that's 209 00:07:35,250 --> 00:07:37,250 right. I think these seniors deserve a choice 210 00:07:37,250 --> 00:07:38,230 and that they should, 211 00:07:38,770 --> 00:07:41,569 they should absolutely still have a plan like 212 00:07:41,569 --> 00:07:42,230 an alignment 213 00:07:42,610 --> 00:07:44,930 that will be available to them and have 214 00:07:44,930 --> 00:07:47,509 the continuous open enrollment that they do today. 215 00:07:48,464 --> 00:07:50,384 Absolutely. And I'm really glad you you pointed 216 00:07:50,384 --> 00:07:52,545 out that tidbit about your your star rating 217 00:07:52,545 --> 00:07:55,185 success because it's true. You really alignment is 218 00:07:55,185 --> 00:07:56,805 one of the most highest rated, 219 00:07:57,185 --> 00:07:59,745 Medicare Advantage Plans consistently year after year, and 220 00:07:59,745 --> 00:08:01,444 you're one of just a handful of plans 221 00:08:01,665 --> 00:08:03,750 around the country that has achieved that. So 222 00:08:03,829 --> 00:08:05,430 it's so great to hear, you know, about 223 00:08:05,430 --> 00:08:07,829 how you're advocating for for more choice and 224 00:08:07,829 --> 00:08:10,490 and supporting rural health care access moving forward, 225 00:08:10,949 --> 00:08:12,810 for your members and and for the wider 226 00:08:12,870 --> 00:08:13,370 population. 227 00:08:14,069 --> 00:08:15,750 I also wanna ask you, you know, we 228 00:08:15,750 --> 00:08:17,455 we we've heard so much from both sides 229 00:08:17,455 --> 00:08:19,235 of the aisle these last few years, 230 00:08:19,935 --> 00:08:22,735 about about Medicare Advantage changes that should be 231 00:08:22,735 --> 00:08:23,235 made. 232 00:08:23,615 --> 00:08:25,455 So what was your sense of of what's 233 00:08:25,455 --> 00:08:27,154 going on in Washington right now? 234 00:08:27,694 --> 00:08:29,970 How do you think lawmakers are currently thinking 235 00:08:30,029 --> 00:08:32,429 about the Medicare Advantage Program? Certainly, now that 236 00:08:32,429 --> 00:08:34,049 we're under a new administration, 237 00:08:34,990 --> 00:08:36,750 are are you feeling that they're leaning more 238 00:08:36,750 --> 00:08:38,610 toward reform, more restriction, 239 00:08:39,389 --> 00:08:41,389 support for what you're talking about? What what 240 00:08:41,389 --> 00:08:43,169 do you what's your sense of what's happening 241 00:08:43,215 --> 00:08:45,375 right now, Dawn? Well, first and foremost, I 242 00:08:45,375 --> 00:08:47,855 have respect for both sides, and I actually 243 00:08:47,855 --> 00:08:50,254 do believe both sides really care, when I 244 00:08:50,254 --> 00:08:53,235 think about Chairman Buchanan and Schweikart and, Doggett 245 00:08:53,295 --> 00:08:53,955 and Sewell. 246 00:08:54,335 --> 00:08:54,835 They 247 00:08:55,629 --> 00:08:58,110 understand the value of Medicare Advance, what it 248 00:08:58,110 --> 00:09:01,009 brings, and they really do care about, 249 00:09:01,949 --> 00:09:03,009 the Medicare beneficiaries. 250 00:09:03,870 --> 00:09:06,589 This isn't really about restricting the program. It's 251 00:09:06,589 --> 00:09:08,909 refining it and strengthening it. And how do 252 00:09:08,909 --> 00:09:09,570 you have 253 00:09:10,034 --> 00:09:12,355 organizations that may be smaller than the larger 254 00:09:12,355 --> 00:09:14,375 organizations that are out there in the environment 255 00:09:14,595 --> 00:09:15,095 have 256 00:09:15,634 --> 00:09:17,714 be a part of that competition without having 257 00:09:17,714 --> 00:09:20,134 restrictions around it? And it's giving 258 00:09:20,595 --> 00:09:23,245 seniors choice, driving quality through that competition and 259 00:09:23,245 --> 00:09:23,565 value and, you know, and how you stretch 260 00:09:23,565 --> 00:09:23,879 every 261 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,039 you know, and how you stretch every health 262 00:09:28,039 --> 00:09:28,620 care dollar. 263 00:09:29,399 --> 00:09:30,940 And that's what we do. We look at, 264 00:09:31,080 --> 00:09:34,299 a proactive integrate integrated approach to care. 265 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:36,940 We have a high touch care model, 266 00:09:37,294 --> 00:09:40,174 which is, different. We believe that sometimes you 267 00:09:40,174 --> 00:09:42,735 may invest, higher dollars in the first year 268 00:09:42,735 --> 00:09:45,154 of that enrollment where you're actually losing money. 269 00:09:45,454 --> 00:09:47,694 But in in the years to come, if 270 00:09:47,694 --> 00:09:50,095 you really do put your patients before profit, 271 00:09:50,095 --> 00:09:51,235 then you shall profit. 272 00:09:52,250 --> 00:09:53,929 So it but it does take time, and 273 00:09:53,929 --> 00:09:55,769 it takes an investment. And, 274 00:09:56,570 --> 00:09:57,309 I felt 275 00:09:58,009 --> 00:10:00,809 the listening of what we were trying to 276 00:10:00,809 --> 00:10:03,129 do, but how do you reform, you know, 277 00:10:03,129 --> 00:10:05,414 reform the program without restricting it? 278 00:10:05,975 --> 00:10:08,054 And, there was a lot of dialogue and 279 00:10:08,054 --> 00:10:08,954 a lot of discussion, 280 00:10:09,334 --> 00:10:10,774 and our goal is just to make sure 281 00:10:10,774 --> 00:10:12,054 that we have a seat at the table 282 00:10:12,054 --> 00:10:13,754 to help them refine those policies. 283 00:10:14,375 --> 00:10:16,054 Sure. Yeah. That make that makes a lot 284 00:10:16,054 --> 00:10:16,634 of sense. 285 00:10:17,414 --> 00:10:19,334 Before we go, Don, what else are we 286 00:10:19,334 --> 00:10:22,320 missing? Are there any final thoughts or final 287 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,259 tidbits of advice that you wanna offer, 288 00:10:24,720 --> 00:10:27,299 the other Medicare leaders listening in? 289 00:10:28,159 --> 00:10:30,000 I think they're first of all, you have 290 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,320 to really care about this consumer and make 291 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:34,659 sure that they are the absolute 292 00:10:35,065 --> 00:10:35,565 priority. 293 00:10:35,945 --> 00:10:37,305 We look at it as, you know, you 294 00:10:37,305 --> 00:10:38,605 put the senior first, 295 00:10:39,065 --> 00:10:41,065 but how do you support the doctor that 296 00:10:41,065 --> 00:10:42,904 is taking care of that senior? And that 297 00:10:42,904 --> 00:10:44,585 doctor doesn't always have to work for you. 298 00:10:44,825 --> 00:10:46,024 We have 25% 299 00:10:46,024 --> 00:10:48,345 of our employees that are clinicians, but they 300 00:10:48,345 --> 00:10:50,009 don't always have to work with us and 301 00:10:50,009 --> 00:10:51,050 work for us. I mean, they have to 302 00:10:51,050 --> 00:10:52,330 work with us, I should say. They should 303 00:10:52,330 --> 00:10:52,990 be aligned. 304 00:10:53,370 --> 00:10:55,850 And, you know, enable technology. There's a lot 305 00:10:55,850 --> 00:10:57,309 of discussion about AI. 306 00:10:57,610 --> 00:10:59,210 We look at AI as how do you 307 00:10:59,210 --> 00:11:01,790 use AI, from an assistant standpoint, 308 00:11:02,504 --> 00:11:04,105 And then how do you have a serving 309 00:11:04,105 --> 00:11:05,404 heart? But this consumer 310 00:11:06,345 --> 00:11:09,065 really wants to make sure that they are 311 00:11:09,065 --> 00:11:09,565 independent, 312 00:11:10,745 --> 00:11:11,245 mobile, 313 00:11:11,545 --> 00:11:12,045 and, 314 00:11:13,225 --> 00:11:15,705 and have peace of mind, in in that 315 00:11:15,705 --> 00:11:18,449 process. And if you think about those pieces, 316 00:11:18,990 --> 00:11:21,309 no matter if you're somebody that's starting up 317 00:11:21,309 --> 00:11:23,230 or if you're somebody that's been in business 318 00:11:23,230 --> 00:11:24,909 for quite some time, if you put them 319 00:11:24,909 --> 00:11:26,529 at the center of your focus, 320 00:11:27,149 --> 00:11:29,629 then you should be able to do Medicare 321 00:11:29,629 --> 00:11:30,690 Advantage right 322 00:11:31,149 --> 00:11:33,409 and win in in this business 323 00:11:33,884 --> 00:11:35,024 for years to come. 324 00:11:35,965 --> 00:11:38,365 Fantastic. Well, Don, I I really appreciate you 325 00:11:38,365 --> 00:11:39,965 taking the time to sit down with us 326 00:11:39,965 --> 00:11:42,045 and for sharing your insights about how you 327 00:11:42,045 --> 00:11:44,605 and Alignment are really advocating and and pushing 328 00:11:44,605 --> 00:11:48,139 for the continued evolution, refinement, and, improvements 329 00:11:48,519 --> 00:11:51,019 of such an important program. We really appreciate 330 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:52,540 it. Thank you so much. 331 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:54,279 And to our listeners, if you'd like to 332 00:11:54,279 --> 00:11:56,440 listen to more podcasts from Becker's Healthcare, you 333 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:59,100 can visit beckers hospital review dot com.