Medicare expands ACCESS pilot to cover more chronic conditions with outcome-based payments

Medicare's ACCESS model, a pilot that pays technology providers for managing chronic diseases, is being broadened.

Initially covering diabetes, hypertension, chronic musculoskeletal pain, depression and anxiety, the program ties payments to patient outcomes, rewarding providers whose patients improve.

Regulators announced the addition of substance use disorder, heart failure, COPD, tobacco use, and extended support for musculoskeletal conditions to the eligible list.

The expansion also includes a directory of 39 approved providers who can deliver the services under the program.