2026

June

Yahoo! Finance   
June 29, 2026 - Acentra Health executives President & COO Meghan Harris and Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer Verlon Johnson were recognized on Becker’s Healthcare’s 2026 Women in Health IT to Know List for their leadership in advancing healthcare technology, innovation, and improved health outcomes. 

Business Insider  
June 29, 2026 - Acentra Health announced that Meghan Harris, President and Chief Operations Officer, and Verlon Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Government and Corporate Affairs Officer, have been named to Becker’s Healthcare’s 170 Women in Health IT to Know | 2026 list. This prestigious recognition honors women who are advancing healthcare through innovation, technology leadership, and transformative digital solutions. 

The Maine Monitor   
June 26, 2026 - Acentra Health shares input on a new standardized assessment process and more behavioral support for children with higher needs in the state of Maine. Acentra Health is proud to serve as a trusted technology partner to the state of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services.  

HealthIT Answers and FINN Voices Podcast on Healthcare NOW Radio   
June 18, 2026 - Meghan Harris, President & Chief Operating Officer, wrote an article for HealthIT Answers titled “Bridging the Divide in Whole-Population Care.” Meghan advocates that improving whole-population care requires locally tailored health programs, better access to actionable data for frontline workers, and longer-term funding models that address real-world community needs and social determinants of health. The article also includes her FINN Voices Podcast interview on Healthcare NOW Radio.

Modern Healthcare
June 16, 2026 - Verlon Johnson, Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer, spoke with reporter Bridget Early from Modern Healthcare on how states facing a tight timeline to implement Medicaid work requirements by January 1, 2027. The article explored how new CMS guidance shifted key expectations, and the next few months will be critical for states, providers, health plans, and technology partners working through eligibility, exemption, outreach, and systems changes. Read more below.


 
States must pivot on Medicaid work requirements after CMS rule
Politics & Regulation - Modern Healthcare
By Bridget Early
June 16, 2026
 
Key Takeaways
  • Medicaid work requirements take effect Jan. 1, 2027, under President Donald Trump’s tax law.
  • States must redo some preparations following a long-awaited Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulation on work requirements.
  • States began implementing the policy ahead of federal rule, which deviated from expectations on key issues.
  • Providers and health insurers await further guidance on their roles under work requirements. 
 
The race is on for states to iron out their Medicaid work requirement plans and tie up loose ends for providers, insurers and beneficiaries.
 
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a long-awaited regulation this month laying out federal standards for work requirements. But states facing down a Jan. 1, 2027, deadline to have the system running will have to quickly rethink their strategies because CMS caught them by surprise on key issues.
 
States, health insurance companies, providers, enrollees and other stakeholders have less than six months to implement the biggest change to Medicaid since the Affordable Care Act of 2010 expansion. For policies this complex, that’s no time at all.
 
“There is still a phenomenal amount of work and preparation and coordination that needs to take place if this is absolutely going to go live on Jan. 1,” said Ceci Connolly, president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, which represents provider-affiliated insurance companies such as Oakland, California-based Kaiser Permanente and Danville, Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Health.
 
States are already hustling to figure out work requirements, but the new rule “will make it much harder” to carry out the program, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services wrote in an email. “What CMS released earlier this month differs significantly from its previous general guidance and will create significant administrative and resource burdens,” the spokesperson wrote.
 
The work requirements policy applies in 40 states and the District of Columbia, which expanded eligibility under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, and in Georgia and Wisconsin, which implemented narrower expansions. In those states, enrollees aged 19-65 have to document that they spend at least 80 hours a month working, schooling or volunteering. Some categories of enrollee are exempt, such as pregnant people, parents of young children and people with disabilities.
States are assessing CMS’ interim final rule and determining what gaps exist between the preparation they made ahead of time and what CMS now requires, said Kinda Serafi, a partner at the law and lobbying firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. Serafi advises states and healthcare clients on Medicaid.
 
In the next few weeks, states and their technology vendors will need to determine whether their eligibility and enrollment systems are capable of managing the new requirements, Serafi said. They’ll also have to convene with healthcare stakeholders, determine whether to make formal comments on the rule, assess whether it’s possible to meet the January deadline and decide whether to ask CMS for extensions, she said.
 
That’s all before states get down to the brass tacks of resetting their strategies, revising notices to enrollees, rewriting Medicaid applications and changing technology workflows, Serafi said.
 
Most states won’t be ready in time, Serafi predicted.
 
Providers
Providers need information from states on what billing codes might qualify an enrollee as medically frail, and thus exempt from work requirements, and how providers are expected to document that.
 
Once states have provided clearer guidance, providers will need to determine which patients might qualify for exemptions, said Darryl Drevna, senior director of regulatory affairs for the American Medical Group Association, which represents integrated health systems and multispecialty medical groups such as Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic and Arlington, Virginia-based Privia Medical Group.
 
Providers will then need to work with their electronic health vendors to make it possible to document medical frailty, then build that into their workflows, which will entail training clinicians and staff members, Drevna said.
 
A standardized form for attesting medical frailty would be helpful, especially for providers that operate in multiple states, Drevna said. “The more variation that is part of this process, the harder it’s going to be, and the more folks who are going to slip through the cracks,” he said.
 
Health insurance companies
Medicaid managed care organizations, which are precluded from direct involvement with eligibility determinations, can still help with education and outreach to Medicaid members.
 
But insurers clarity to smooth implementation, and this rule provides the opposite, said Emma Liebman, associate director of policy for the Alliance of Community Health Plans. For instance, questions remain about the medical frailty designation and about how states will handle beneficiary self-attestation to prove compliance or exemption.
 
Technology companies
Technology vendors need to adapt quickly once they receive information from states that could necessitate systems changes, said Verlon Johnson, chief government and corporate affairs officer for the healthcare technology company Acentra Health.

Becker's Health IT  
June 4, 2026 - Meghan Harris, President & Chief Operating Officer, and Verlon Johnson, Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer, were both recognized on the 2026 Becker's Health IT "Women in Health IT to Know" List. This list was compiled using nominations and editorial research to highlight the top 170 women in health IT who are driving transformative change and doing the essential work of making healthcare smarter, faster, and more effective.  

Provider Magazine  
June 1, 2026 - A January 2026 study from Acentra Health is mentioned in a Provider Magazine article highlighting how many seniors struggle to navigate Medicare Advantage plans due to complex prior authorization requirements, narrow provider networks, and coverage denials that can delay or limit access to needed care. The report includes what can be done to protect the benefits seniors have earned. 

May

WashingtonExec
May 11, 2026 - Ezmeralda Sager, Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, was named a Top Health Care Exec to Watch in 2026 by WashingtonExec, a list that recognizes leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare innovation and outcomes. Ezmeralda was featured in the top 10 on the list for her team's focus on driving Acentra Health's Vision 2030 to make it easier and less costly for individuals to access and receive quality care.

People & Planet United — Global Health & Purpose Summit
May 4, 2026 - Acentra Health's Meghan Harris, President and Chief Operations Officer and Ryan Bosch, MD, Chief Health and Informatics Officer, joined a virtual fireside chat for the People & Planet United — Global Health & Purpose Summit, kicking off New York Health Innovation Week. Their session, “Data to Action: Using Community Drivers of Health to Deliver Whole-Person Care,” is a conversation about using community drivers of health to better tailor programs to real community needs.

Northern Virginia Chamber: NOVA RISE Key Takeaways and Insights Report
May 2, 2026 - Acentra Health's CEO Todd Stottlemyer spoke at the 2026 Northern Virginia Chamber (NVC) NOVA Roadmap Innovators & Stakeholders Exchange (NOVA RISE), hosting a Fireside Chat on the topic: “Leading the Next Chapter of Northern Virginia's Economy.” His thoughts h on the mindset required of Northern Viriginia business leaders looking to sustain our regional competitiveness were captured in the NVC’s NOVA RISE April 2026 Key Takeaways and Insights Report.

April

Yahoo! Finance
April 24, 2026 - Acentra Health's Chief AI Officer Sean Harrison was named as a Northern Virigina Tech Council AI50 Executive Honoree. Harrison is recognized as a trailblazing leader at a visionary company shaping the future of artificial intelligence. This inaugural award highlights both executive and company dedication to AI Innovation in Northern Virginia Region. 

citybiz
April 24, 2026 - Acentra Health's Chief AI Officer Sean Harrison has been named to the inaugural 2026 AI50 Awards from the Northern Virginia Technology Council, a recognition honoring executives and organizations advancing practical artificial intelligence applications across the National Capital Region. Harrison was selected in the AI50 Executives category from more than 160 nominations submitted across Northern Virginia. 

WashingtonExec
April 15, 2026 - Todd Stottlemyer, CEO and Board Director, was profiled for his extensive experience, focus at Acentra Health, and servant leadership in the community.

Yahoo! Finance
April 8, 2026 - Acentra Health is featured for our national recognition on Newsweek’s "Greatest Workplaces for Entry Level" 2026 List, highlighting our company’s commitment to supporting and developing early-career talent. 

OpenPR.com
April 7, 2026 - Acentra Health is included in a press release from The Business Research Company about our acquisition of EAP Consultants LLC to strengthen Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offerings by integrating cutting-edge technology and mental health expertise.   

Washington Business Journal
April 3, 2026 - Mohamed Karama was featured in Washington Business Journal's "People on the Move" for joining the Acentra Health team as Senior Vice President, Growth Acceleration and Performance. 

March

Washington Exec
March 29, 2026 - Washington Exec shared Acentra Health's appointment of Mohamed Karama as Senior Vice President of Growth Acceleration and Performance and the company's promotion of Nirav Dalal to Senior Vice President of Sales Leadership. 

Yahoo! Finance
March 25, 2026 - Acentra Health announced that Mohamed Karama has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Growth Acceleration and Performance, and Nirav Dalal has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales Leadership. These appointments advance Acentra Health’s transformation initiatives and position the company for strategic growth.  

Washington Business Journal
March 20, 2026 -  Acentra Health is excited to be recognized again on Washington Business Journal's list of the Largest Government Technology Contractors in Greater Washington, ranked by Metro-area employees. And, we’re even more proud to see our position on the list rise in 2026 compared to 2025. This continued upward momentum reflects the strength of our sustained growth, innovation, and a commitment to delivering meaningful results.

Newsweek
March 17, 2026 - Acentra Health is featured on Newsweek’s list of “America's Greatest Workplaces for Entry Level 2026.” Newsweek partnered with Plant-A Insights Group to spotlight organizations leading the way. This list is the result of a national survey and extensive research to evaluate companies with more than 1,000 employees on their commitment to those entering the workforce. 

Yahoo! Finance
March 6, 2026 – Acentra Health is included in this story on the growing Social Assistance Business Market. Our acquisition of EAP Consultants LLC in January 2024 is noted as a sign of our leadership in employee wellness to support mental health initiatives within the workplace. 

Healthcare IT News
March 4, 2026 – Interview with Verlon Johnson, Acentra Health's Chief Government and Corporate Affairs Officer, on how technology can help states make Medicaid processes more efficient while improving care delivery. Verlon also shared ways providers can address health disparities and improve outcomes for underserved populations.

February

ViVE 2026 Los Angeles 

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Feb. 23, 2026 - Verlon Johnson, Acentra Health's Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer, was a featured panel speaker at ViVE 2026 in L.A. — an event that brings together health systems, payers, and healthcare technology leaders to evaluate solutions, exchange insights, and make decisions that shape the future of healthcare. Verlon spoke on the topic of “Medicaid-Medicare Integration for a High Cost, High Need Era” along with Dr. Sanjay Doddamani, MD, MBA from Guidehealth and Joe Dunn, Chief Policy Officer, NACHC — moderated by Randi Seigel, JD, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.  

Washington Business Journal
Feb. 20, 2026 – Balajee Sethuraman was featured in Washington Business Journal's "People on the Move" for joining the Acentra Health team as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Services Officer. 

Washington Business Journal
Feb. 17, 2026 – Debbie Ricci was featured in Washington Business Journal's "People on the Move" for joining the Acentra Health team as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  

Healthcare IT News
Feb. 3, 2026 – Interview with Ryan Bosch, MD, Acentra Health’s Chief Health and Informatics Officer on how integrating clinical, behavioral and social data is a proven model of care that can drive technical, clinical and business success — boosting patient outcomes.

Medical Buyer
Feb. 2, 2026 - Acentra Health as one of the 10 health tech firms that have voluntarily pledged to help states successfully prepare for and implement Medicaid community engagement requirement by offering no-cost and significantly discounted products and services, per a Jan. 29 CMS Announcement.

January

Healthcare IT News
Jan. 30, 2026 - Interview with Daniel Hallenbeck, Acentra Health’s Vice President of Strategy and Strategic Partnerships. Hallenbeck leads our work with SAMA and shares more on how the program will help Medicaid programs confidently and responsibly adopt AI.

WashingtonExec
Jan. 27, 2026 - Todd Stottlemyer, CEO of Acentra Health, was named as a Top Executive to Watch in 2026 – noting his ability to lead the company through significant change and growth with vision, courage, and execution.

Business Insider
Jan. 27, 2026 - Balajee Sethuraman was appointed by Acentra Health as New Executive Vice President and Chief Business Services Officer to lead the company’s business services and delivery operations.

Northern Virginia Policy Forum
Jan. 27, 2026 - Verlon Johnson, Acentra Health’s Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer, joined a virtual conversation to discuss what’s next for Medicaid – including Rural Health Transformation, and work and community engagement requirements.

Healthcare IT Today
Jan. 20, 2026 - Healthcare IT Today shared Acentra Health’s Vice President of Strategy and Strategic Partnerships Daniel Hallenbeck’s prediction on how Medicaid programs will use AI safely in 2026.

Yahoo! Finance
Jan. 14, 2026 - Deborah Ricci was named new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Acentra Health to lead the company's financial operations, strategic planning, and overall financial health in support of continued growth and impact. 

JP Morgan 2026 Global BioInnovation Forum
Jan. 13, 2026 - The event that brings together healthcare leaders who are innovating how to discover, deliver, and finance care featured a virtual fireside chat with Verlon Johnson, Acentra Health’s Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer, to discuss the current state of Medicaid and what’s next.

 

Nasdaq
Jan. 12, 2026 - Acentra Health was named Modern Healthcare’s 2025 “Best in Business” in the Healthcare IT category - earning recognition for configurable, modular solutions.

Healthcare IT Today
Jan. 2, 2026 - Healthcare IT Today shared Acentra Health’s Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer Verlon Johnson’s healthcare prediction on how states will modernize Medicaid in 2026.

2025

December

Healthcare IT Today
Dec. 24, 2025 - Healthcare IT Today shared Acentra Health’s President and Chief Operations Officer Meghan Harris’ 2026 healthcare prediction on what advancing health equity means for Medicaid.

Healthcare IT Answers
Dec. 22, 2025 - Health IT Answers shared Acentra Health’s Chief Health and Informatics Officer Ryan Bosch, MD’s prediction on how health systems will adopt AI in clinical settings in 2026.

Nasdaq
Dec. 17, 2025 - Meghan Harris, President and Chief Operations Officer, was appointed to Acentra Health’s board of directors.

Nasdaq
Dec. 15, 2025 - Acentra Health has been recognized as part of the Northern Virginia Technology Council's (NVTC) Tech100 list, a prestigious annual listing that honors innovative tech companies and leaders.

Nasdaq
Dec. 11, 2025 - Acentra Health named Patty Obermaier as new Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer to lead the company’s business development, marketing, and product management functions.