The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the
Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model, a 10-year voluntary model designed to increase technology enabled care for Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) beneficiaries with chronic conditions. Participation is limited to Medicare Part B providers or suppliers via tax identification numbers (TINs), excluding durable medical equipment and laboratory suppliers.
Starting in July 2026, the ACCESS model will introduce a recurring Outcome-Aligned Payment (OAP) approach that pays for measurable health outcomes through technology-enabled care without requiring providers to follow a specific care model. ACCESS is designed to complement traditional care.
ACCESS will initially include four clinical tracks targeting common chronic conditions:
- Early Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic (eCKM): Hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity or overweight with marker of central obesity, and prediabetes.
- Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM): Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- Musculoskeletal (MSK): Chronic musculoskeletal pain.
- Behavioral Health (BH): Depression or Anxiety.
Each track includes condition-specific measures and outcome targets, with payment based on the proportion of patients who meet defined outcomes compared to CMS-defined thresholds. To improve access in underserved areas, a fixed adjustment will be applied for rural patients in qualifying tracks.
Participating organizations may offer multiple clinical tracks and must provide integrated, technology-supported care. Care can be delivered in-person, virtually, asynchronously, or through other technology-enabled methods. CMS will provide a vendor directory to help participating organizations identify optional software and hardware solutions that can support model participation. Beneficiaries may enroll directly with an ACCESS organization or via provider referral and can participate in multiple tracks across different organizations.
To ensure transparency, CMS will make risk-adjusted outcomes publicly available in an online directory.
CMS is currently accepting
interest forms and will release a Request for Applications (RFA) soon with additional details. Rolling applications will continue through 2033.
ACCESS could present an opportunity for SNF/NF or assisted living providers to partner with a Medicare Part B provider to participate in the model. Model
FAQs are available.
Please reach out to AHCA’s Population Health Policy Analyst
Rohini Achal or
Nisha Hammel, Vice President, Reimbursement Policy & Population Health with any questions.