MESC 2025 provides a pulse check on the current and future state of health IT
By Martina Wood, Chief Operating Officer, FEI Systems
My, how quickly the summer months fly by! Just like that, the season has once again come to a close, and pumpkin spice reigns supreme. At FEI, our summers always include a whirlwind of conference activity, and this one was no exception. One of my favorite events is the annual Medicaid Enterprise Systems Community (MESC) conference. Last month, I joined fellow health IT professionals from across the country in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to network and learn, and I came away with meaningful insight and an even greater enthusiasm for the future of health technology.
This year marked the 60th anniversary of the passing of the laws that established Medicaid, and the healthcare space has changed drastically over those six decades. Leveraging new methods and technologies in the healthcare space is not a new concept, but ideas and opinions about the most efficient, secure and comprehensive implementations evolve almost as quickly as the technology itself. From online assessments to determine levels of care to artificial intelligence (AI) working behind the scenes, new technology governance plans are being drafted every day. These constantly unfolding trends are at the heart of the discussions at the MESC annual conference, and as the Chief Operating Officer of FEI Systems, they affirm my commitment to supporting the conference’s dedication to strengthening and supporting the capacity of state government Health and Human Service agencies to effectively respond to the needs of the people they serve.
One major theme of the conference centered around the reinforcement of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirements related to reuse and leveraging of existing solutions and/or products that have already been tested and developed and are currently in use in other states before requesting funding for new development. As a member of the executive leadership team for a trusted provider of solutions that advance the efficient and effective delivery of health and human services for those who need them most, I couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve done to develop our Blue Compass suite of solutions with these requirements as a large part of the impetus for the investment.
AI and its evolving use cases was another topic addressed throughout the conference. A report highlighted in one session shows eighty percent of the nearly 250 health system respondents polled said they have “automation tools in at least a pilot stage.” The session also noted the American Medical Association has taken notice of these trends and released an AI toolkit for healthcare. At FEI, we’re following this guidance and other recommendations like it. That’s why I was so pleased to see the adoption of AI being featured as part of the 2025 MESC conference this year.
All in all, I always enjoy my time at MESC. It’s a great way to connect with policymakers, program managers and colleagues in the healthcare IT space and stay up to date on industry trends. I look forward to next year’s conference in Portland.
