What is the ACCESS Model?
ACCESS stands for Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions. It is a voluntary CMS Innovation Center model for people with Original Medicare. The model began July 5, 2026 and is designed to test technology-supported chronic-care services that work alongside a beneficiary’s existing doctors and other providers.
Depending on the participating organization and condition, support can include telehealth, remote monitoring, wearable technology, health coaching, lifestyle support and medication-management services. CMS says participating organizations are paid in a way that ties payment to measurable health outcomes rather than simply the volume of services delivered.
What changed this week?
On September 15, 2026, CMS announced an expansion of ACCESS. Beginning April 1, 2027, the model will add tracks for:
- Heart failure
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Substance use disorder
- Tobacco cessation
- A follow-on period for chronic musculoskeletal pain
These additions are confirmed CMS model updates, not merely proposed changes. They expand on the conditions ACCESS already supports.
Who can use ACCESS today?
Medicare.gov currently describes ACCESS as available to qualifying people with Original Medicare who have conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, prediabetes, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, or ongoing muscle or joint pain.
CMS reported on September 15 that more than 160 health care organizations are participating in ACCESS. Beneficiaries may enroll directly with a participating organization or be referred by a health care provider.
What might it cost?
Medicare describes ACCESS care as available at low or no cost. Current CMS information for referring clinicians lists patient cost-sharing of up to $7 per month for the existing tracks, depending on the condition, and participating ACCESS organizations may uniformly waive that cost-sharing. Costs and program details for the new April 2027 tracks should be confirmed as CMS releases additional beneficiary information.
Why this matters for people with Original Medicare
Chronic conditions often require attention between office visits. ACCESS is intended to make ongoing support easier to obtain at home while keeping a person’s regular care team involved. For someone managing diabetes, blood pressure, chronic pain, depression or—starting in 2027—heart failure or COPD, that could mean more frequent monitoring and coaching without replacing traditional physician care.
It is also important to understand what ACCESS does not do. It is not a new Medicare Advantage plan, does not require a beneficiary to give up Original Medicare, and does not change the beneficiary’s underlying Medicare benefits.
Practical steps to take
- If you have Original Medicare and a qualifying chronic condition, review the ACCESS information and participating organizations on Medicare.gov.
- Ask your physician whether technology-supported chronic care would complement your current treatment plan.
- Before enrolling with an ACCESS organization, understand what services it provides, how your information will be shared with your regular clinicians, and whether any monthly cost-sharing applies.
- If you have Medicare Advantage, remember that ACCESS itself is being tested in Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans may offer their own chronic-care or remote-monitoring programs, so review your plan’s benefits separately.
Looking ahead to 2027
The April 1 expansion makes ACCESS worth watching as Medicare beneficiaries prepare for 2027. CMS may continue updating participating organizations, eligible conditions and operational details, so beneficiaries should rely on current Medicare.gov and CMS information when deciding whether the program fits their needs.