CMS’s ACCESS Model expansion adds chronic care tracks for Medicare providers

September 21, 2026Nick HutHealthcare Financial Management AssociationMedicare, MA, MSSP, & Medicare ACOs,Alternative payment models (APMs),Primary Care,CMS, CMMI, Government, Policy & Regulations,Population Health

New tracks broaden the reach of a model in which outcome-aligned payments, referral strategy and provider co-management are key areas of consideration.

CMS continues to put weight behind the Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model, a 10-year initiative to apply value-based payment and digital solutions to chronic disease management.

The agency announced Sept. 15 that it would add to the services covered under the model. Newly covered conditions effective April 1, 2027, are set to include heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, substance use disorders and tobacco cessation. With the updates, three-quarters of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries are expected to qualify for ACCESS.

The new tracks will join the four that were part of the model launch: early cardio-kidney-metabolic, cardio-kidney-metabolic, musculoskeletal and behavioral health. Another change will bring a follow-on track for chronic musculoskeletal pain beyond the initial 12-month ACCESS care period per patient.

Full Article

CMS’s ACCESS Model expansion adds chronic care tracks for Medicare providers

New tracks broaden the reach of a model in which outcome-aligned payments, referral strategy and provider co-management are key areas of consideration.

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