Changes in Medicare Advantage for 2025

Changes in Medicare


Wednesday, September 17
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM (PT)

As Medicare Advantage (MA) plans continue to evolve, dental coverage remains a critical component, bringing both opportunities and challenges for payers, providers and patients. This session will examine the current landscape of dental benefits within MA plans, discuss the implications of new federal requirements taking effect July 1, 2025, and explore the industry’s vision for the future of dental coverage in this growing market.

Key topics include:

• The current state of dental benefits in MA plans and challenges payers are facing

• Future expectations and how new government requirements may shape plan design and operations

• Industry insights on the ideal role of dental coverage within MA from both payer and provider perspectives

Jeremy Jonckheere leads insurance plan relationships, strategic partnerships, medical integration and enterprise strategy initiatives at PDS Health. Before joining PDS, he held multiple roles at DaVita, including leadership positions in the Office of the CEO and the organization’s chronic disease pharmacy. His work focused on operations and developing integrated care programs. Jonckheere earned a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and an Honors Business Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business.

Marc Couch

Senior Vice President, Network Management and Performance

LIBERTY Dental Plans

Marc Couch is an accomplished health care executive with over two decades of leadership experience driving innovation and operational excellence in the managed care space and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). With a proven track record in provider experience, dental network management, and scalable operations, Marc is recognized for implementing strategic solutions that enhance system efficiency, support growth, and enhance the patient and provider experience.

Throughout his career, Marc has successfully led high-performing teams in both acquisitions and operations, consistently exceeding internal performance targets. His expertise spans the full spectrum of healthcare operations—from network strategy and operations to overall business operations, making him a sought-after leader and speaker in the industry.

Marc’s leadership is grounded in a culture of joint accountability and continuous improvement. A strategic thinker and collaborative problem-solver, he excels at navigating complex challenges and aligning cross-functional teams to deliver measurable outcomes.

Ben Mezer, JD

Chief Compliance Officer

Affordable Care, LLC

Ben Mezer joined Affordable Care in 2021 as the Chief Compliance Officer.  In this role, Ben oversees the regulatory and compliance program for Affordable Care’s over 440 affiliated practices.  Prior to his work with ACI, Ben was the General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Hero DVO, a DSO that supports dental practices that serve the underserved pediatric dental, orthodontic, and vision needs of our nation’s children. 

Ben began his regulatory healthcare career at the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of General Counsel as a prosecutorial and advisory attorney for the Boards of Pharmacy, Medical Examiners, Dental Examiners, Nursing, Optometry, and Veterinary Medical Examiners.  Ben also worked closely with the DEA, FBI, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations as the lead Attorney for the State of Tennessee’s Drug Diversion Taskforce.    

As a private practice attorney, Ben represented a diverse range of clients comprised of major healthcare organizations, healthcare providers, pharmacies, universities, and long-term care facilities in investigations before governing and law enforcement bodies as well as in civil and criminal proceedings.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Tufts University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law.  Ben lives in the mountains of Colorado with his wife and three children, where they enjoy skiing, camping, and hiking.

Christina Tuller

VP of Product Strategy for Dental and Vision 

Cigna Healthcare

Christina Tuller is the VP of product strategy for dental and vision at Cigna Healthcare, a Cigna Group company. Christina has more than 25 years of experience in the insurance and healthcare sectors,  and is known as a consumer-focused, results-driven leader with a consistent track record of delivering cross-functional initiatives in complex, matrixed environments.   In her current role, she oversees product strategy, development, management, and compliance for Cigna Healthcare’s Dental and Vision businesses.  Prior to Cigna, she worked in product leadership at Guardian Life Ins Co and Allstate Ins Co. She earned both her MBA and a master’s degree in finance from the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University. 

Outside of her professional career, Christina wears many hats; she is a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, leader, and coworker. She lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA with her husband and two children. She enjoys volunteering in her community, including coaching her daughter’s basketball team and tries to sneak in some golf time with her son whenever she can.

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