Healthcare costs in Alabama keep rising. They don't have to.
The Alabama Cost Curve Summit brings healthcare providers and employer groups to the same table, united around a shared goal: making healthcare more transparent, more competitive, and more affordable for everyone.
Self-Funded & Level-Funded Employer Plan Strategies
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Employer Fiduciary Responsibility Under ERISA
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Data Analytics & Claims Benchmarking
Who Attends
Both sides of the healthcare equation
This unique mix of providers and employers in the same room is rare — and highly valuable. Attendees gain direct access to an engaged, decision-making audience on both sides of the healthcare transaction.
Healthcare Providers — physicians, independent practices, surgery centers, and health systems
HR Directors, CFOs, and benefits decision-makers at self-funded businesses
Business Owners actively seeking better healthcare solutions for their teams
Third-Party Administrators (TPAs)
Healthcare Attorneys and Policy Professionals
"The trend can be bent. It starts here."
Alabama Cost Curve Summit · Birmingham, AL · June 24, 2026
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Ready to be in the room?
Seating is limited to approximately 75 attendees. Reserve your spot today and join the movement to make healthcare work better in Alabama.
Everything you need to know about the Alabama Cost Curve Summit
The Summit
Why this event exists
Healthcare costs in Alabama continue to rise — but they don't have to. The status quo benefits intermediaries, not patients or the employers who pay for their care. The Alabama Cost Curve Summit was created to change that dynamic.
We bring healthcare providers and employer groups to the same table, united around a shared goal: making healthcare more transparent, more competitive, and more affordable for everyone.
Through keynote presentations and open discussion, attendees hear from thought leaders and practitioners who are already bending the trend in their own organizations — real stories, real data, real results.
This isn't a vendor showcase. It's a working session for people who are serious about fixing a broken system from the inside.
Who Should Come
Built for decision-makers
The summit is designed for approximately 75 carefully curated attendees — because quality of conversation matters more than quantity of seats. If you influence how healthcare is purchased, delivered, or managed in Alabama, this event is for you.
Thought leaders and practitioners already bending the cost curve in their own organizations
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Speaker announcements are rolling in. Full lineup and session details will be updated here as we approach June 24. Register now to be notified directly.
Presenting at the Summit
Keynote Speaker
Matt Ohrt
Founder · DFTB Consulting & Self Fund Health
Over a 25-year HR career, Matt served as an executive leader for Toyota, Fortune Brands, and Badger Mining — the #1 Great Place to Work in America. As VP of HR at Merrill Steel, he led a five-year health plan transformation that saved the company and employees over M.
Matt founded the Healthcare Best Practice Group (20,000+ members), co-founded Self Fund Health — the fastest-growing employer health plan in the Midwest — and authored Save Your Company, Don’t Feed the Beast (6,500+ copies sold). In 2025, he became National Executive Director of the Free Market Medical Association.
📍 Employer Health Plan Transformation & Free Market Healthcare
Session Speaker
Patrick Moore
CEO · Pretekt
“Healthcare is a Racket — Call in the Marines”
With over 20 years of experience in the insurance and employee benefits industry, Patrick helps employers and advisors navigate the complex and evolving healthcare landscape. As CEO of Pretekt, his mission is to simplify healthcare for employers and employees alike — with a laser focus on the most consequential topic in the room: Compliance.
Pat is also a Master Sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves, serving for 22 years before retiring in 2023. He brings that same mission-clarity to his belief that fiduciary responsibility will completely change the healthcare industry.
Wellness & Internal Communications Director · Phifer Incorporated
Kat Cagle is the Wellness Director and Internal Communications Director at Phifer Incorporated, where she supports both employee well-being and company-wide communication. She leads the PhiferCares Wellness Program, manages the PhiferCares Park facility, works closely with Phifer Healthcare and provider partners, and promotes engagement with onsite clinic services to help employees and their families thrive.
Kat also oversees internal communication strategies — including company-wide digital signage and the employee mobile app — to ensure timely, clear, and accessible information across the organization.
📍 Turning the Tide on Healthcare Costs: A Real-World Success Story
Panel Host
Spencer Smith
SVP · ParetoHealth · Host, The Self-Funded Podcast
Spencer Smith is a healthcare industry expert and podcast host known for his work on the Self-Funded Podcast, where he discusses health insurance practices, self-funding strategies, and industry trends. As SVP at ParetoHealth, he focuses on innovative healthcare solutions for employers.
His content blends educational discussions, interviews with healthcare professionals, and promotional material for industry events. He frequently covers topics like vertical integration in healthcare, employer health plans, and emerging industry regulations.
🎤 Moderating the Panel Session
Panelist
Kimberly Carleson
CEO · US Beacon
A nationally respected healthcare executive and patient advocate with 15+ years serving self-funded health plans, state governments, and Fortune 500 companies in reimbursement integrity, regulatory compliance, and fiduciary governance.
As CEO of US Beacon, Kimberly leads one of the nation’s most established independent medical claims compliance and integrity review firms. She has served as a panelist for ERIC and the National Auditors Association, with her work referenced in federal policy discussions on healthcare oversight.
Amanda Volner, SFC®, brings over two decades of experience in sales leadership, strategic partnerships, and business development in healthcare and benefits. Before Healthee, she served as VP of Enterprise Partnerships at Medefy Health and held leadership roles at Integrated Prescription Management (now LucyRx) and PPOk, expanding specialty services and network growth across the industry.
Her expertise spans SaaS sales, pharmacy benefit management, and employee benefits. Originally from Oklahoma, she brings dynamic leadership to Healthee’s mission of simplifying healthcare benefits and empowering businesses and employees nationwide.
📍 Employee Education & Engagement and Care Navigation
Panelist
Adam Leggette
RVP of Sales, Southeast · Apta Health
📍 Cash Pricing, Direct Contracts & Price Transparency
Panelist
Hannah Denson
Market VP of Sales · VerusRx
Hannah serves as the Market Vice President of Sales for VerusRx, a PBM formed with the mission of helping employers manage prescription drug costs while improving health outcomes for their employees. In an industry that can be difficult to navigate, she is committed to helping employers curb rapidly rising healthcare costs while guiding members through the challenging and complex maze of healthcare.
Hannah serves as the President of Ladies Executive Golf Society (LEGS) of Syracuse, empowering women to embrace golf as a tool for networking, skill development, business expansion, and most importantly having fun. When she’s not battling healthcare costs or hitting the links, you’ll find her spending time with her husband and two dogs.
📍 PBM Reform & Prescription Drug Cost Strategy
Don't Miss It
Hear these voices in person.
Seating is limited to approximately 75 attendees. Reserve your spot today and join the conversation on making healthcare work better in Alabama.
Keynotes, panel discussions, and featured content from the Alabama Cost Curve Summit
Session Content
Videos coming after the summit.
Keynote presentations, panel discussions, and featured interviews from the Alabama Cost Curve Summit will be posted here following the event on June 24, 2026.
Stay tuned — we'll have full session recordings available so the conversation doesn't stop when the day ends.
Full recordings of featured keynote speakers, including Matt Ohrt on employer health plan transformation and free market healthcare.
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Panel Discussions
Candid conversations between providers and employers tackling price transparency, direct contracting, and plan strategy.
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Featured Interviews
One-on-one conversations with speakers and practitioners sharing real results from bending the healthcare cost curve.
Sponsorship Prospectus
Partner With the Movement
Position your organization at the forefront of transparent, free-market healthcare in Alabama
Sponsorship Opportunities
Three tiers. One shared mission.
The organizations leading the movement toward price transparency and free market healthcare are actively seeking audiences like this one. As a sponsor, you'll be in the room — and top of mind — for both employers and providers who are ready to act.
$3,500
Founding Partner
Highest visibility. Named sponsorship of the Panel Session. The signature partner of the summit.
✦ SOLD OUT
✦ Named sponsorship of the Panel Session — highest-visibility moment of the event
✦ Top billing on all event signage, printed programs, event website, and email communications
✦ Dedicated speaking slot or featured panel participation
✦ Full attendee list with contact information (post-event)
✦ Three (3) complimentary attendee registrations
✦ Social media recognition before, during, and after the event
✦ Verbal recognition from the podium throughout the event
SOLD OUT
$2,000
Session Sponsor
Named sponsorship of one breakout session. "This session brought to you by…"
★ Limited to 3 Sponsors
✦ Named sponsorship of one breakout session with brand attribution
✦ Logo on session signage and all printed programs
✦ Full attendee list with contact information (post-event)
Organizations committed to making healthcare work better in Alabama.
Platinum Sponsors
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Session Sponsors
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Supporting Sponsors
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Ready to Partner?
Let's make healthcare work better in Alabama.
Sponsorships are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. The Founding Partner tier is limited to one organization — act quickly to secure this signature opportunity.
Seating is limited to approximately 75 attendees. Secure your spot today.
Registration Form
Complete the form below and we'll confirm your registration. If you're interested in sponsorship opportunities, select that below and we'll be in touch with details.
Your information will only be used to confirm your registration and event communications. We do not sell or share your data.
Questions?
We're here to help.
For questions about registration, sponsorship, or the event, contact the organizing team directly.