Medicare Launches ACCESS Model; Adds Outcome-Based Payments For Technology-Enabled Care For Depression, SUD & Nicotine Addiction

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expanding its 10-year Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model to include substance use disorder (SUD), tobacco cessation, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) beginning in spring 2027. ACCESS provides technology-supported chronic care to beneficiaries with Original Medicare through an outcomes-based payment model. CMS is also expanding support for certain chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions beyond the initial 12-month care period.

For SUD, ACCESS will provide comprehensive care for opioid, alcohol, and other substance use disorders, including integrated support for co-occurring depression and . . .