Medicare to expand its pilot that pays for technology to manage chronic diseases

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1. 1d ago

   CMS Expands ACCESS Model for Chronic Disease Technology

   The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expanding its Advancing Chronic Care with Effective Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) model to increase payment for technology used in managing chronic diseases. The expansion includes adding more chronic conditions to the program in 2027. Recent participants include Counsel Health, which joined the early cardio-kidney-metabolic track on September 17, 2026, and RevelAi Health, whose MSK ACCESS tool is now listed in the program directory. These moves aim to scale AI-native and digital solutions for Medicare beneficiaries.

   Why it matters

   The ACCESS model represents a shift toward reimbursing scalable technology rather than traditional face-to-face care. By integrating AI and digital tools, CMS seeks to reduce the burden on primary care providers while improving outcomes for high-risk patients. The program's growth indicates a broader federal move toward value-based care for chronic conditions.

   What is confirmed

   • CMS is expanding the ACCESS model to cover more technology for chronic disease management.
   • CMS will add more chronic conditions to the ACCESS model in 2027.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Primary care leaders are debating whether the ACCESS model creates new partnerships or fragmented care.

   What to watch next

   • The official list of additional chronic conditions CMS will add in 2027.
   • Data on patient outcomes from early participants like Counsel Health and RevelAi Health.
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. STAT — Medicare to expand its pilot that pays for technology to manage chronic diseases
   2. Modern Healthcare — CMS to expand ACCESS model
   3. Morningstar — RevelAi Health's MSK ACCESS Listed in Medicare's ACCESS Directory
   4. Medical Economics — New partnerships or fragmented care? A primary care leader discusses Medicare’s ACCESS model
   5. simplywall.st — CVS Health (CVS) Joins 14 Insurers In Medicare Behavioral Health Push
   6. Healthcare Dive — CMS to add more chronic conditions to ACCESS model in 2027
   7. Digital Health Wire — More ACCESS, Sword Gets Headspace, and AI Scribe Blindspots
   8. finance.yahoo.com — Counsel Health Joins ACCESS Model to Bring AI-Native Chronic Care to Medicare Beneficiaries
   confidence 90%