CMS Launches ACCESS Model to Scale Technology-Supported Chronic Care Nationwide

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center has unveiled ACCESS, a 10-year model designed to expand technology-supported care for individuals on Original Medicare who have obesity, diabetes, musculoskeletal pain or depression. The initiative, formally titled Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions, will begin on July 1, 2026. CMS administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz noted that the program is expected to support two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries, emphasizing in a video announcement that “ACCESS introduces a way of paying for care that focuses on results. It offers clinicians a new predictable payment option, giving them the flexibility to use digital tools that help people take charge of their health.”

ACCESS organizes participating care organizations into four clinical tracks, covering early cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions, established cardio-kidney-metabolic diseases, musculoskeletal conditions and behavioral health conditions including depression and anxiety. The model incorporates an Outcome-Aligned Payments approach, linking reimbursement to measurable clinical improvements such as lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Participating organizations will be required to provide integrated, technology-enabled services that may include clinician consultations, behavioral support, diagnostics, medication management and monitoring of FDA-authorized devices. Care can be delivered in person, virtually or asynchronously.

To participate, organizations must enroll in Medicare Part B, comply with licensure, HIPAA and FDA requirements, and appoint a physician clinical director responsible for overseeing clinical quality. CMS will maintain a public directory of ACCESS organizations, detailing the conditions they manage and their reported outcomes. The agency will also publish aggregated, risk-adjusted performance data to support patient decision-making when selecting participating providers.

Abe Sutton, director of the CMS Innovation Center, said in a video that “ACCESS will help people meet their health goals and remove barriers for clinicians who want to integrate technology into their care.” He added that the model “will also make it easier for primary care doctors to partner with technology-supported care providers so they can continue supporting patients with chronic conditions even when they step outside the doctor’s office.”

The initiative aligns with broader federal efforts to modernize healthcare technology infrastructure. Throughout the year, CMS has signaled its intention to expand digital health access, including work on a national healthcare directory, modernization of data systems and support for QR code–enabled data exchange. The agency has also proposed updates to the 2025 physician fee schedule related to digital health tools and is leading development of the CMS Interoperability Framework, a component of the new federal Health Technology Ecosystem focused on improving medical record access and reducing reliance on fax-based information exchange.