3 Things You Absolutely Can’t Miss at TXAACOs 2026

There’s something about The Texas Association of ACOs (TXAACOs) conference that feels different.

It is not just the sessions, although those are always strong. It is the conversations that happen in the hallways, the ideas that actually feel applicable, and the sense that everyone in the room is trying to solve the same very real challenges in value-based care.

And this year, to be held May 4-6th in Rockwall, Texas, the timing adds a little extra fun. A room full of Accountable Care Organization (ACO) leaders, meaningful conversations about the future of healthcare, all happening on Cinco de Mayo … which also happens to fall on Taco Tuesday. That combination alone should tell you the energy is going to be high.

If you are heading to Texas, here are three things you should absolutely make time for. You can also check out the full agenda here:

1. The Session Everyone Will Be Talking About

Tuesday, May 5 | 1:35 PM – 2:30 PM
Built In, Not Bolted On: The Future of Care Management in ACOs

Care management is no longer something that sits on the sidelines. It is becoming one of the most important drivers of performance inside ACOs, and this session goes straight to the heart of that shift.

Moderated by Pam Audish (BettrAi) and featuring Dan Godla (ThoroughCare), Kelly Hidde (AaNeel), and Matt Lambert (Avantamed), this panel brings together leaders who are actively shaping how care management is evolving in real time.

And yes, we are especially excited about this one because Dan Godla is not only on the panel, he is the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer here at ThoroughCare. This is work he has been driving for years, so expect a perspective that is both strategic and grounded in real-world execution.

The conversation will focus on how organizations are embedding care management directly into their operating models, aligning clinical workflows with technology in a way that actually works, and building approaches that can scale across complex patient populations.

If you are trying to understand where care management is headed and what it means for ACO performance over the next several years, this is a session you do not want to miss.

2. The Session That Will Change How You Think About AI

Monday, May 4 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
AI’s Trust Tipping Point: The Rules of the Road

AI is moving faster than anything we have seen in healthcare, and the reality is the rules are not keeping up.

That is exactly why this session stands out.

Bryan Rotella brings a perspective that most conferences do not. With a background as a trial lawyer and General Counsel to a billion-dollar healthcare company, and now leading AI governance through LeadAI Legal, he understands both the innovation and the risk side of this conversation.

This session is going to focus on what leaders actually need to know right now, including:

• Where AI is already reshaping healthcare today

• Where regulation is still lagging behind

• What it takes to move forward with confidence instead of hesitation

This is not a theoretical discussion about what AI might become. It is a very real look at what is already happening and how it is impacting decision-making across value-based care.

The gap between innovation and oversight is where things either break or get built the right way. This session is about helping leaders stay on the right side of that line.

3. Where Strategy Meets Reality

Tuesday, May 5 | 4:45 PM – 5:40 PM
Closing Fireside Chat: Policy, Payment, Programs, and Practice

If you want to understand the future of value-based care, you have to look at policy. That is where so much of the direction is set.

This closing fireside chat brings together Aledade’s Sean Cavanaugh and Andrew Chang, moderated by Kristina Contreras, for a conversation that connects policy decisions to what is actually happening on the ground.

The discussion will explore how policy is shaping care delivery, how payment models are evolving, and what those changes mean for organizations that are trying to operate and succeed in real time. It is the kind of session that helps everything else from the conference start to come together.

And then, in true TXAACOs fashion, the conversation transitions into the Vendor Happy Hour followed by the Lone Star Cinco Social. It is a perfect reminder that some of the best insights and connections happen after the session ends.

Final Thought

TXAACOs is not just about the agenda. It is about being in the room with people who are building, testing, and evolving value-based care every day.

Between the strength of the sessions, the caliber of the speakers, and the timing of it all, this year is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

Come ready to learn, connect, and maybe grab a taco or two along the way.

We will see you in Texas!