Q&A: How Dr. Tom Diller plans to advance patient-centered Medicare policy

Thomas Diller, MD, vice president and chief medical officer for Population Health Services Organization and president of the AdventHealth Physician Network, has been appointed to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), a nonpartisan agency that advises Congress on Medicare policy.

Dr. Diller brings more than two decades of healthcare leadership experience, paired with a clinical background in internal medicine, emergency care, occupational care and preventive medicine.

In this Q&A, Dr. Diller reflects on the significance of the appointment, the priorities he'll bring to the role and how whole-person, value-based care can help improve health outcomes for millions of Americans.

Q: What does this opportunity mean to you?

A: I'm honored to serve on MedPAC and looking forward to working with this incredible group of health policy experts. This is a critical time for Medicare policy, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute a health system perspective that's focused on whole-person care, access, and value. It's also a recognition of the incredible work happening across AdventHealth to improve care delivery—not just for today's patients, but for the future of American health care.

Q: What are some of the top issues you expect MedPAC to focus on?

A: Affordability, access, and sustainability remain central. MedPAC plays a vital role in shaping policy recommendations around provider payments, Medicare Advantage, and quality measurement. I'm especially interested in how we advance care models that reward better outcomes, support primary care, and close equity gaps—all of which align closely with our work at AdventHealth.

Q: How does your experience at AdventHealth shape your policy perspective?

A: I've seen the impact of coordinated, value-based care—especially through our Population Health Services Organization and senior-focused models like Well 65+. AdventHealth's faith-based mission grounds us in compassion, but our strategy is also deeply data-driven. That combination informs how I view the role of policy: it should be people-centered, outcomes-focused, and scalable across diverse communities. At AdventHealth, I also oversee our provider network, which involves managing the integration of more than 6,000 physicians in value-based arrangements. I see Medicare policy as an opportunity to better measure and reward clinicians for patient outcomes. Medicare covers approximately 65 million people – 18% of the U.S. population. Because of this, how we shape policy has a significant impact in the health of our nation.

Q: What do you hope to bring to the national conversation through your service on MedPAC?

A: I hope to elevate the voice of clinicians and integrated systems that are trying to do the right thing—delivering care that's more connected, more preventive, and more personalized. I also want to advocate for policies that support long-term transformation, not just short-term fixes. Throughout my career, I have worked on clinical transformation efforts designed to improve care quality while also reducing costs. As our aging population grows, it will be fundamental to grow our focus on value-based care so that the Medicare program and the patients we serve can thrive. We also need to create a system that's resilient, equitable, and built around patients—not paperwork. As a clinician, I hope to bring that perspective as well.

Q: Any reflections on what this means for AdventHealth?

A: This is a win for our mission and a reflection of the trust AdventHealth has built at the national level. It's also the result of years of thoughtful policy engagement by our Advocacy and Public Policy team and executive leadership. I'm proud to represent AdventHealth and our commitment to extending the healing ministry of Christ through smart, compassionate, forward-thinking care.