The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will expand its ACCESS Model program starting in Spring 2027 to offer technology-supported care options for Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), substance use disorders, and nicotine dependence, the agency said.
The Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model currently covers high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and depression. The expansion adds heart failure, COPD, substance use disorders, and tobacco cessation, plus extended support for bone and joint conditions beyond an initial 12-month period.
Three out of four Medicare beneficiaries qualify for at least one ACCESS track. The program enables participating organizations to offer virtual care, health coaching, remote monitoring, and connected devices between regular doctor visits. Participation is voluntary and does not alter beneficiary coverage or provider choice.
The program uses an outcomes-based payment model, tying payments directly to measurable improvements in patient health rather than individual services. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the program was built because "too many people with chronic conditions were falling through the cracks between appointments."
The program will launch with 160 participating organizations, with CMS continuing to add more throughout the model's 10-year period. Beneficiaries can find participating organizations and covered conditions at Medicare.gov/ACCESS.