What is the ACCESS Model?

For 2026, the CMS Innovation Center has created a new initiative called the ACCESS model, Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions. This is an exciting initiative that will reshape how chronic care is delivered across the country. In this video, let’s explore what exactly the ACCESS Model is, how it aims to improve patient outcomes, and how the program will work.

At ThoroughCare, our care coordination software helps groups improve patient outcomes and streamline value-based care.

Chronic disease is one of the most significant challenges in Medicare today and because of this CMS has created the ACCESS Model. ACCESS places a strong emphasis on proactive care, consistent engagement, and the use of technology to help organizations manage and support patients. ACCESS shows CMS’s continued movement toward outcomes-based reimbursement.

What is the ACCESS Model?

At a high level, the ACCESS Model is designed to strengthen the care experience for Medicare beneficiaries who live with chronic conditions. They’ve created four major chronic condition tracks:

• Early Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic (eCKM) which includes conditions like hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and pre-diabetes
• Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) for diabetes, CKD, and heart disease
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) for chronic pain lasting more than three months
• Behavioral Health (BH) for depression and anxiety

To manage these conditions, ACCESS has four core priorities.

First is care that is preventive rather than reactive. This means regular outreach, coaching, monitoring, and interventions long before a condition worsens.

Next is care that is coordinated across settings. Primary care teams, specialists, and community providers work together with clearer communication and shared goals.

ACCESS also promotes care that is measurable. Providers must be able to show improvements in outcomes such as stability of chronic conditions, fewer avoidable events, and higher engagement.

And lastly, care that is scalable. CMS understands that successful chronic care models must grow with patient populations. ACCESS encourages solutions that are efficient, repeatable, and sustainable.

Instead of focusing solely on episodic visits, ACCESS encourages a continuous care approach that gives patients more frequent touch points and earlier interventions. CMS wants to help providers create environments where patients feel supported month to month. This will be done through the use of technology.

CMS will create an ACCESS Tools Directory. It's a first-of-its-kind resource where digital health vendors can list technology that facilitates model participation.

CMS sees that technology is becoming an essential part of care management. Access, accountability, and reporting manually. Technology needs to be incorporated to successfully run and scale these programs.

How will the program work?

ACCESS will be a 10 year Medicare payment model starting in July of 2026 with outcome based reimbursements on success in these areas.

To be considered for ACCESS Model’s first performance period beginning July 5, 2026, applications must be submitted by April 1, 2026.

Participating organizations will receive Outcome-Aligned Payments with the full amount earned only when patients meet defined clinical improvement or control targets.

If you manage patients with any of the conditions we’ve covered, we’d highly encourage you to apply. 

We at ThoroughCare have applied as a technology vendor. Our care coordination software brings together the essential elements of long term chronic care with structured workflows that scale.

The ACCESS Model is a glimpse into where care management is heading. Long term success in value-based care depends on consistent, intentional chronic care management. This is not possible without technology that allows care and infrastructure to work together.