FORUM AGENDA
SIIA members consistently cite Cell & Gene Therapy (CGT) as one of the hottest topics affecting the self-insurance industry today, with the likelihood that it will be even more impactful in the years ahead. Join leading experts in the field as well as thought leaders within the self-insurance industry who will cover this topic from multiple angles.
You will leave with detailed knowledge of the CGT pipeline, manufacturer and provider perspectives on pricing, value-based pricing considerations, potential financial mitigation/risk strategies, plan document guidance and more. Attendees will also have multiple opportunities to engage directly with each other, which promises to maximize the knowledge-sharing experience and to help facilitate business partnership opportunities.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Registration Open
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
Welcome & Forum Overview
SPEAKER:
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Ashley Hume
President, Emerging Therapy Solutions
Chairperson, SIIA Cell & Gene Task Force
8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Q&A With Leading CGT Manufacturers
Forum attendees will be solicited in advance about what questions they would like to ask a panel of leading CGT manufacturers. We’ll then curate this input and organize a moderated Q&A panel discussion. This will be a unique opportunity to hear an important dialogue affecting multiple stakeholders.
MODERATOR:
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Stacy Richter
Co-President
Aventria Health Group
SPEAKERS:
Kelly Prescott
Head of Market Access
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
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David Hinchcliffe
Gene Therapy Market Access
CSL
Additional speakers to be announced
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Comparing Marketplace Solution Approaches
Like it has done when faced with past challenges, the self-insurance industry is adapting to evolving CGT realities with companies bringing new solutions to market and working to develop additional solutions for future introduction.
Most of these solutions fit into distinct categories, so this session will compare the various general approaches along with the applicable pros and cons. This overview will be done with an “independent lens” – no promotion of specific companies, products or services.
MODERATOR:
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Brenda Cordell
Senior Healthcare Consultant
Milliman
SPEAKERS:
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Deborah Hoffer, RN, MS, CCM, RIT
AVP, CompanionCARE®
Companion Life Insurance Company
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Bob Black
Managing Director, Reinsurance Solutions
Aon Benfield
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Brian Scott
Director, Stop Loss Adjacent Markets
Voya Financial
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Kelly Munger
Head of US Health
PartnerRe America Insurance Company
10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Networking Break
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Legislative/Regulatory Update
The U.S. Congress along with federal regulators have signaled interest in new policy proposals related to CGT and specialty pharma. SIIA’s top federal lobbyist will provide the latest update of specific interest to CGT stakeholders.
SPEAKER:
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Chris Condeluci, Esq.
Washington Counsel
Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc.
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Preparing Health Plans for CGT Coverage Arrangements
A leading industry expert will discuss plan document and related legal considerations that come into play as part of evaluating whether and how to include CGT coverage as part of a self-insured group health plan.
SPEAKER:
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Jennifer McCormick, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Consulting
The Phia Group
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Hosted Lunch
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Humanizing CGT Treatment Experience
The human experience often gets lost when discussing the business aspect of healthcare, but the patient is at the center of all the stakeholders in the room. This session will put an actual face and voice to how CGT treatment can change lives. Our speakers will address the excitement and challenges this community faces in light of the new approved therapies.
Speakers to be Announced
2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Provider Pricing Practices for CGT Treatments
What providers charge for many routine healthcare services is often confusing, so the pricing of highly advanced procedures can obviously be particularly complicated. This session will provide important explanations and insights on how and why providers currently set prices for and charge for CGT-related care and preview how pricing practices may evolve in the future.
SPEAKER:
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Jugna Shah
President
Nimitt Consulting
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Networking Break
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Self-Insured Employers Talk CGT Considerations
A panel of self-insured employer representatives share their health plan experiences with regard to CGT coverage decisions, risk transfer arrangements and related administrative details.
SPEAKERS:
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John Nelson
President
TPAC Underwriters
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Gina Rens
Vice President of Operations
Ciranda
Additional speakers to be announced
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Understanding ICER
Understanding the value of innovative therapies is critical for self-insured employers and reinsurers navigating the complexities of cell and gene therapy adoption. This session will focus on the role of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) in assessing the cost-effectiveness and value of these groundbreaking treatments. Attendees will gain insights into ICER's evaluation methodologies, their impact on pricing, coverage, and reimbursement decisions, and how these assessments can inform strategic planning for employers and reinsurers.
SPEAKER:
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Sarah Emond, MPP
President and Chief Executive Officer
ICER
