CMS Launches ACCESS Model to Pay Medicare for Digital Health Outcomes

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the ACCESS Model, a pioneering 10-year program starting in July 2026 aimed at transforming Medicare payment structures for technology-driven chronic disease management. Unlike traditional payment approaches that focus on services provided and costs, the ACCESS Model seeks to pay directly based on health outcomes, marking a significant shift in healthcare financing. This initiative could become a major driver for digital health innovation, comparable to previous large-scale investments in electronic health records, by incentivizing effective, scalable digital solutions for chronic care management.