About this Learning Activity

Network Management 201: Implementation – Network Strategy and Market Alignment

This 201-level course, Network Strategy and Market Alignment, is designed for professionals responsible for shaping, optimizing, and executing provider network strategy. This course moves beyond foundational concepts and dives into the practical realities of building a network that is competitive, compliant, and aligned with organizational goals. Participants learn how to translate strategy into action, evaluate market needs, and design networks that support both member access and business performance. This learning is eligible for a 15% discount when purchased through it's parent series: "Network Contracting Quality Series 2026"

What You Will Learn

Topics

• Access, adequacy, and geographic considerations. 
• Service line and population needs.
• Aligning network strategy with business goals. 

Learning Objectives 

By participating within this learning activity, learners will:

• Explore the structural elements of an effective network, including composition, tiering, contracting approaches, and performance alignment.
• Recognize how to assess network adequacy and identify geographic gaps.
• Design network service lines around member population needs.
• Connect network decisions to organizational objectives and goals. 

Learning Outcomes 

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify and prioritize network gaps.
• Develop actionable network strategies.
• Align network design with organizational goals and market realities. 

Who Should Attend

• Network development specialists.
• Provider relations managers.
• Contract analysts and contract administrators.
• Managed care professionals. Revenue cycle and reimbursement staff. 

Faculty

Joseph Stankaitis, MD
Dr. Stankaitis is a lecturer and Executive-In-Residence at the Cornell University Sloan Program in Health Administration. Joe is the longest serving physician surveyor for NCQA being involved since its inception as a surveyor and serving as Chair of its Reconsideration Committee (two separate terms) and Chair of the Review Oversight Committee. Clinically he has served as a member of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA’s) Professional Practice Committee, President of the Volunteer Board of the Upstate NY ADA and currently is a member of the ADA’s national Health Disparities Committee. He additionally has participated on numerous New York State Department of Health Committees and Work groups. Joe received his B.A. in Biology from Boston College, his MD from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, MPH in Health Policy and Management as a Kellogg Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health and completed his Residency and Chief Residency training in the Primary Care Program in Internal Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Jeffrey Sitko, MHA
Jeffrey Sitko is an Assist Vice President of Product Development at NCQA with over 13 years of experience in healthcare strategy and quality. His portfolio of is work is dedicated to advancing a more connected, equitable, and value‑driven healthcare system. With a career rooted in performance improvement, network strategy, and quality measurement, he brings deep expertise in helping organizations strengthen care delivery and align operations with evolving industry standards. Jeffrey holds a master of health administration from the University of Scranton.

Vince Pereira, MHA, FAHM, CPHQ
Vince Pereira is a Senior Program Manager of Customer Education at NCQA. In this role, Vince is leads initiatives that enhance organizational readiness for performance improvement initiative's for health plans, health systems, and their partners. Prior to NCQA, Vince served in performance improvement roles with the Veterans Health Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services. He holds a Master of Health Administration from George Mason University. Vince holds a master of health administration from the George Mason University.

Continuing Education

This course grants 2 Other Continuing Education Unit (CEU) points for PCMH Certified Content Experts.

This is a non AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ^TM, ANA CNE, ACPE activity.

* Please note – You must attend the entire program to be eligible for total number of contact hours.

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) endorses the Standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education which specify that sponsors of continuing medical education activities and presenters at and planners for these activities disclose any relevant financial relationships either party might have with commercial companies whose products or services are discussed in educational presentations.

For sponsors, relevant financial relationships include large research grants, institutional agreements for joint initiatives, substantial gifts, or other relationships that benefit the institution.  For presenters or planning committee members, relevant financial relationships include the receipt of research grants from a commercial company, consultancies, honoraria, travel, or other benefits, or having a self-managed equity interest in a company; or having an immediate family member or partner with such a relationship.

Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but is made to provide participants with information that might be of potential importance to their evaluation of a presentation.

Relevant financial relationships exist with the following companies/organizations:

Faculty:

Albert “Irv” Koehler: None

Additional Planning Committee Members:
Vince Pereira: None
Julie Pung: None 
Tandeece Tubolino: None

This program was developed in part by NCQA staff.