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

Medicare's ACCESS model, announced last year, is a pilot that pays approved companies to manage certain chronic conditions using technology. The initially covered conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic musculoskeletal pain, depression, and anxiety. The model introduces outcome-aligned payments, meaning providers are paid more if their patients' conditions improve. The experiment has only just gotten underway.

On Tuesday, regulators announced they would expand the number of chronic conditions eligible for the ACCESS model. The additions are substance use disorder, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tobacco use, and longer-term support for musculoskeletal conditions. The new condition tracks will start in spring 2027.

According to officials, about 3 in 4 people on Medicare will be eligible for one track under the expanded model.