For the first time in its five-year history, the National Medicaid Congress is offering online participation option. The entire conference will be streamed live over the Internet and archived for six months. All plenary sessions will feature live video and synched PowerPoints, plus an opportunity for online attendees to ask questions of speakers through a live chat function. The two Preconferences and all concurrent track sessions will be audiocast live, with PowerPoint PDFs on the web portal.

The online option is especially designed to assist State Medicaid staff and local safety net providers with limited or no travel budgets the opportunity to participate fully in the event. In addition, the Congress is offering a special group rate for NAPH members. The standard rate for a group starts at $595 for a group of five, or a minimum of $2,975. Realizing that this may be outside the reach of most safety net hospitals, the Congress is offering NAPH members a flat rate of $1,000 for a group of three and $1,500 for a group of five if all individuals register at the same time. Simply fill out the online registration form at http://www.medicaidcongress.com/regform.pdf and enter "NAPH" in the discount code box.

The 2010 Congress features keynote addresses from Governor Jim Douglas of Vermont, Cindy Mann from CMS, Jim Tallon from United Hospital Fund, Dr. Ron Anderson from Parkland Health and Hospital System, and Dan Mendelson from Avalere Health. Two Preconferences look at Medicaid and the medical home and management of dual eligibles. The full agenda and faculty are at www.MedicaidCongress.com. Questions may be directed to 800-503-8172 or by email to registration@hcconferences.com.