At the Prior Authorization Framework and Accreditation (PAFA) Program, collaboration is at the heart of our mission to improve prior authorization (PA) for everyone. If you’ve attended our Q1 webinars, you’ll know that we are committed to bringing all PA stakeholders together to foster meaningful change. As part of this commitment, we are excited to introduce the Framework and Accreditation Advisory Board (FAAB).
The FAAB plays a key role in guiding our work and ensuring transparency, balance, and accountability across all aspects of our Framework and Accreditation program. We are incredibly proud of the caliber of experts who have joined the FAAB. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives from across the prior authorization landscape—including clinicians, patient advocates, and industry leaders. Their guidance will be instrumental in ensuring that PAFA’s work is credible, inclusive, and grounded in real-world expertise. With their leadership, PAFA continues to grow as a trusted, balanced voice in improving PA in Canada.
The FAAB will comprise nine members, two of whom will be representatives from payers of prior authorization claims. Please join us in welcoming the following members:
John Anacleto, Anacleto Consulting
anacletoconsulting@outlook.com
John is a seasoned Market Access Consultant with nearly two decades of experience in health and drug insurance. Recognized for his accountability and tenacity, he has led teams in developing innovative analytic tools for clients, enabling informed decision-making in the competitive market. John’s expertise spans forecasting market access uptake, strategizing Private Payer Product Listing Negotiations, and coordinating private payer submissions across therapeutic areas. A thought leader in the field, he has presented and written on trends in private group insurance impacting access to medicines, including prior authorization. John holds a Master of Business Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in English & Economics.
Chair – Denise Balch, BPHA, CEP-HW, President, Connex Health, Project Manager, Simplify Prior Authorization and Executive Director, Prior Authorization Framework and Accreditation (PAFA) Program
denisebalch@connexhc.com or denisebalch@priorauthframework.ca
Denise has worked in the benefits and private healthcare sector since the 1980s, spending time with both insurers and benefit consulting firms in technical, sales and management positions. She founded Connex Health in 2000, where she oversees the delivery of networking and educational events, blogs and podcasts, to the private healthcare sector. Denise also provides customized research and consulting solutions on the challenges in benefits and private healthcare. She has co-authored several industry research papers, developed many real-world evidence studies and advocacy work. At the Rogers Workplace Health and Benefits Awards – Denise was a 2013 Lifetime Achievement Finalist. She is currently the chair of the Temiskaming Hospital in New Liskeard, Ontario.
Imtiaz Khan, MDCM, FRCPC, FACP
imskhan@rogers.com
Dr. Khan attended McGill medical school and completed his fellowship at the university of Toronto. He is the former head of Rheumatology at the Mississauga Hospital. He current practices rheumatology in Mississauga and is the Chair of Private Payers committee for the ORA.
Antonella Scali, CEO, Psoriasis Canada
antonellascali@psoriasiscanada.ca
Antonella Scali is the CEO of Psoriasis Canada (PsoCan), a recent consolidation of the Canadian Psoriasis Network and the Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients. Led by a board of directors made up primarily of people with lived experience, PsoCan is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by psoriatic disease. Antonella is a registered social worker with a background in crisis counselling and in policy analysis in community mental health in Ontario.
Todd Stephen, CEBS, SelectPath Benefits and Financial
tstephen@SelectPath.ca
Todd is the Vice President, Employee Benefits & Pensions Advisor who has been with SelectPath since 2021. He has worked in consulting since 1996 after a successful career with a national insurance company. He is a leader in the benefits and pension field and a vocal advocate on issues impacting plan sponsors. Todd has served on several regional and national industry health, charitable and athletic boards.
Two of the remaining seats on the Framework and Accreditation Advisory Board are reserved for payer representatives, and we look forward to welcoming these members in the near future to ensure balanced representation across the PA landscape.
There is much more happening at PAFA – Call out for applications to be an Accreditation Panel Member!
We are also seeking candidates to join our Accreditation Panel of five. The Panel will play a critical role in evaluating payer organizations who apply for accreditation under PAFA’s Framework.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Candidates must not be employed by or affiliated with a payer organization.
- Candidates cannot be affiliated with a Patient Support Program (PSP) that has ties to or contracts with payers.
- Candidates should have demonstrated experience or expertise in the prior authorization landscape in Canada, whether through direct practice, policy, research, or advocacy.
If you are passionate about advancing fair, efficient, and transparent PA practices in Canada and meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply. Contact Denise Balch, Executive Director, PAFA at denisebalch@priorauthframework.ca.
Stay tuned for more updates as the FAAB and Accreditation Panel begin their important work in advancing prior authorization reform across the country.
