AMA Supports CMS's ACCESS Model to Advance Tech-Enabled Chronic Care in Medicare

The American Medical Association (AMA) has welcomed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) new voluntary program, the ACCESS (Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions) Model, designed to integrate technology-supported care for chronic disease patients on Original Medicare. This initiative aims to address longstanding payment system barriers that have hindered the adoption of digital health tools by physicians caring for patients with common chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, musculoskeletal pain, and depression. ACCESS proposes a shift toward flexible, patient-centered care by linking payments to measurable health improvements rather than individual service delivery, enhancing the management of chronic diseases in a modernized care setting. By facilitating technologies like telehealth, wearable devices, and digital coaching, the model is expected to broaden patient access and enable physicians to deliver more effective, technology-enabled care. The AMA's endorsement highlights the association's commitment to advocating for physicians and patients by supporting innovations that strengthen the physician-patient relationship and improve chronic disease outcomes in the Medicare population. The program could lead to significant shifts in payer/provider interactions and healthcare delivery models, reflecting ongoing trends towards value-based care and digital transformation in the healthcare industry.