Originally published on 12/5/25

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is once again looking to expand its technological efforts, this time in the form of their newly announced Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model. But what is the new system? And how is it going to help Medicare users? We break it all down below. 

What to know about the new ACCESS Model 

This week, Medicare announced ACCESS—a program designed to help two out of three people on Medicare better manage and prevent chronic conditions such as early cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) conditions like prediabetes and obesity, established CKM conditions such as chronic kidney disease, musculoskeletal pain and behavioral health issues through the use of telehealth software, wearable devices and apps. This is a big shift from what the government-funded insurance program covered in the past in terms of health tools, which was next to nothing. The program will begin in July 0f 2026 and is expected to last 10 years. 

“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,” CMS administrator Mehmet Oz, MD,  said during the press conference.

ACCESS is also reportedly going to help Medicare users with their bills.  The CMS website explains that the program will “test a new payment option that emphasizes outcomes over activities, enabling clinicians to offer innovative technology-supported care that improves patients’ health and complements traditional care.” 

“Patients will have more options to help them meet their health goals, providers will gain new partners to help them co-manage their patients’ health and Original Medicare will have a way to pay care organizations developing technology-supported services. ACCESS supports disease prevention and health promotion by empowering people who have Medicare and clinicians with more choices.” 

As of publication, there is no news on what exactly CMS will be offering physicians and patients in terms of supplies to help them meet these goals. 

How to enroll in the Medicare ACCESS program

The ACCESS Medicare program is voluntary for all Americans. Those who want to be a part of it must be enrolled in Medicare Part B and get government approval. Physicians who want to enroll must also get government approval. 

Applications will be open from January 1 to April 1, 2026. Applications received after that date will be reviewed and those approved will be enrolled in the ACCESS program on January 1, 2027. To fill out the interest form and receive an alert when applications become available, click here. 

“For too long, outdated payment barriers have made it difficult for physicians to use new tools that can improve care for common chronic conditions,” said American Medical Association CEO John Whyte in a statement, per Politico. “This new model has the potential to give clinicians more flexibility, strengthen care teams, and—most importantly—help patients live healthier lives.”

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/healthcare/medicare-access-model-covers-digital-health-tools-for-seniors