AI Pre-Conference Program

AMCP 2026 AI Pre-Conference

AMCP 2026 Pre-Conference Program

Keeping the Human in AI: Smarter Decisions in Managed Care Pharmacy 

Monday, April 13, 12:30–6:30pm CST
Music City Center, Nashville, TN

Artificial intelligence is reshaping managed care pharmacy, and its impact is accelerating. Since our last AI Pre-Conference, attended by over 200 health care decision makers, AI has been rapidly adopted throughout the industry. Managed care professionals must confront the challenges of knowing where it delivers value, where it introduces risk, and where human judgment is necessary. 

Our second annual half-day AMCP pre-conference will bring together even more pharmacy leaders and innovators to explore how AI is being used today and how it’s shaping decisions, operations, and patient impact across managed care. The session is practical and grounded, cutting through the hype to examine real use cases, early lessons, and the governance questions that come with AI adoption at scale with a consistent focus on responsible, human-led deployment and real patient impact. 

Through keynote perspectives, moderated panels, and interactive discussions, you’ll hear from leaders at the intersection of pharmacy, technology, and policy who are actively navigating AI implementation. Topics will span member and patient engagement, operational efficiency, evidence generation, and the evolving regulatory landscape, with an emphasis on responsible, human-led deployment. 

You’ll leave with clearer questions to ask, smarter criteria for evaluating AI solutions, and a deeper understanding of what AI means for managed care pharmacy today and in the years ahead.

(additional fees apply at checkout to attend)

Member: $325
Non-Member: $475

Become an AMCP member now or at checkout to receive the discounted rate.

Register Now
 

Agenda:

12:30-12:45pm

Welcome and Framing the Day
Emcee: Harry Travis, BS Pharm, MBA – President, The Travis Group, LLC
12:45–1:30pm

Opening Keynote
Keynote: Nathan Frank, SVP, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Aetna
1:30-2:15pm

Panel 1: Less Friction, More Trust: AI That Improves the Member Experience
This panel explores how artificial intelligence is transforming member‑facing functions across managed care pharmacy. Speakers will discuss real‑world applications such as medication‑adherence support tools, AI‑enabled onboarding that personalizes the member journey, enhanced customer‑service automation, as well as other member interactions. The session highlights practical use cases that improve outcomes, engagement, and overall patient/member experience.

  • Moderator: George van Antwerp
  • Panelist: Todd Sega, PharmD, MBA - Managing Director of Pharmacy, PQS by Innovaccer
  • Panelist: Justin Bioc, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, RPh - AVP, Pharmacy, Devoted Health
2:15-2:45pm Networking Break and AI Tech Tables
2:45-3:30pm 

Panel 2: AI for the Backstage Work That Determines the Frontstage Outcome
This session focuses on operational uses of AI inside managed care organizations. Panelists will cover how AI accelerates and enhances formulary and drug monograph development, supports plan design analytics, and improves authorization request processing. The discussion emphasizes workflow efficiency, consistency, and the potential for AI tools to reduce manual burden while improving decision quality.

  • Moderator: Prabashni Reddy, PharmD, MMedSc, RPh - Senior Advisor, Strategic Market Access, OPEN Health
  • Panelist: Angela Gallagher, PharmD, MBA – Senior Director of Pharmacy, Mass General Brigham Health Plan
  • Panelist: Natalie Pirkola, PharmD, MBA, MASPHM, MSIS - Vice President, Clinical Strategy and Population Health, HAP
3:30-3:45pm Break
3:45-4:30pm

Breakout 1: Lessons from the Builders: Designing, Training, and Deploying AI

  • Speaker: Smit Patel
  • Speaker: Mark Fowler, MS InfoSec, AWS DOP – CTO/COO, Cooperative Benefits Group, LLC

 

Breakout 2: Using AI to Align Clinical Appropriateness with Speed to Therapy

  • Speaker: Guarang Gandhi, PharmD, MHA - VP Pharmacy Services, PolarisRx, Prime Therapeutics
  • Speaker: C. Anthony Blau, MD -  Founder and CEO, All4Cure

 

Breakout 3: RWE, Reinvented: The Role of AI in Managed Care

  • Moderator: Cate Lockhart, PharmD, PhD – Chief Science Officer, AMCP
  • Speaker: Keith Kallmes, BS – President, Nested Knowledge
  • Speaker: Phani Veeranki, MD., DrPH – Vice President & Principal Consultant, Optum
4:30-4:45pm Final Tech Table Networking
4:45-5:30pm

Panel 3: Trust, Risk, and Governance: The Operating Model for AI Compliance
This panel examines emerging regulatory, legal, and compliance considerations associated with AI adoption in managed care pharmacy. Topics include federal and state policy developments and implications from professional boards. Panelists will discuss oversight trends, compliance safeguards, and how organizations can responsibly navigate the evolving regulatory landscape while deploying AI technologies.

  • Moderator: Adam Colborn, JD – Associate VP, Congressional Affairs, AMCP
  • Panelist: Jeff Mesaros, PharmD, JD, MS – President, The Mesaros Group, LLC
  • Panelist: Claire Wulf Winiarek, PhD, MA
  • Panelist: Cam Bronson, JD – Legal and Policy Analyst – Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy, Utah Department of Commerce
5:30-6:30pm Reception