Payment integrity is evolving from a downstream claims audit function to a proactive, critical lever for upstream cost avoidance. Payment integrity leaders note that ‘shifting left’ can cut administrative duties by at least 10-15%, in addition to improving provider abrasion. But evolving to cost avoidance not only requires a shift in mindset, but an evolution in how data, AI tools, and cross-functional collaboration are used to enable proactive decision making.
- Case studies: Critical strategies for launching pre-pay programs and measuring ROI
- How AI is expanding pre-pay capabilities and required governance
- Rethinking the impact and attribution of provider education initiatives
In partnership with Optum
Stephanie Jackson
Stephanie Jackson is Senior Vice President of Payment Integrity at Optum, where she leads strategy and growth across solutions that help health plans improve payment accuracy, reduce costs, and strengthen compliance across the claims lifecycle. She partners closely with payer organizations to deliver scalable, technology-enabled capabilities that drive operational efficiency, mitigate risk, and improve financial performance. Stephanie brings more than a decade of leadership experience at Optum, with a strong background spanning payer solutions, business development, and enterprise strategy. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration from St. Cloud State University.
David Kagan
Linde Winton
Linde Winton is the Senior Director of Operations for Provider Partners Health Plan and a healthcare executive with nearly four decades of experience in managed care, Medicare Advantage, compliance, claims administration, and payment integrity. Throughout her career, she has led operational, compliance, quality assurance, audit, and Special Investigation Unit (SIU) programs for health plans, third-party administrators, and healthcare technology organizations.
Linde has extensive expertise in payment integrity, fraud, waste and abuse prevention, regulatory compliance, claims operations, vendor oversight, and healthcare analytics. She has developed and implemented enterprise-wide audit and investigation programs, directed complex regulatory initiatives, overseen large-scale operational improvements, and partnered with organizations to strengthen payment accuracy while maintaining compliance with evolving federal and state requirements.
Recognized for her ability to bridge the gap between operational execution and regulatory oversight, Linde brings a practical, real-world perspective to healthcare payment integrity. Her work has focused on identifying emerging risks, improving claims accuracy, leveraging data analytics to uncover hidden issues, and implementing sustainable solutions that drive measurable results. As a frequent collaborator across operations, compliance, and payment integrity teams, she is passionate about helping organizations navigate today's increasingly complex healthcare environment while protecting the integrity of healthcare payments.
