Working with Health Plans: A Startup Guide to Contracting, Pilots, and More

Building a successful partnership with a health plan requires more than a strong solution - it requires understanding how payers buy, contract, and scale new offerings.

This session will include:

• Fundamentals of payer contracting and procurement
• Common pathways from pilot to deployment
• Ways you can engage health plans across lines of business
• Practical insights into navigating health plan partnerships
• How to avoid common pitfalls
• Complimentary lunch

Whether you're developing a medical device, digital health platform, diagnostic, or other healthcare technology, you'll leave better prepared for conversations with payers and future partners.

SCALE-UP! SESSIONS

Scale-Up! Sessions is a recurring educational series presented by the Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Hub, offering practical guidance for healthcare entrepreneurs. Through expert-led workshops, presentations, and networking events, founders gain insights into topics such as clinical validation, commercialization, market access, reimbursement, venture investment, and strategic healthcare partnerships that help accelerate the development and adoption of innovative healthcare solutions.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZER

The Henry Ford + MSU Innovation Hub brings together the strengths of Henry Ford Innovations and the MSU Research Foundation to help healthcare innovators move promising technologies from concept to real-world adoption. By combining clinical expertise, entrepreneurial support, venture investment, and market-access partnerships, the Innovation Hub helps founders validate solutions, navigate complex healthcare environments, and accelerate commercialization.

PARKING INFORMATION & DIRECTIONS

This event will take place at The Mezz - Floor 2 of Michigan Central Station.

Please park in the Bagley Mobility Hub, 1501 Wabash Street. Parking is $5 for the first 30 minutes, with a $15 daily flat rate.

Enter Michigan Central from the East Entrance off 15th Street and check-in with the Front Desk at the east entry when you arrive. There is a free shuttle from Bagley Mobility Hub Welcome Center on the First Floor to the East Entry of Michigan Central.