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How do I enroll in Medicare so I can participate in ACCESS?

What is ACCESS? 

CMS is testing a new Original Medicare payment model that focuses on patient outcomes rather than the volume of services. The ACCESS model uses Outcome Aligned Payments (OAPs) to support technology enabled chronic care. The goal is to determine whether this payment approach can reduce Medicare costs while maintaining or improving the quality of care for beneficiaries.

Where can a provider/supplier obtain more information if they are interested in learning more about the ACCESS Model? 

What is the scope and duration of the ACCESS model? 

It will be a 10-year voluntary model offered nationwide, running from July 5, 2026 – June 30, 2036 (called the Model Performance Period). 

ACCESS Applications (submitted through ACCESS model portal) will be accepted on a rolling basis from the release of the Request for Applications (RFA) on December 19, 2025, through April 1, 2033, to facilitate at least three years of participation for each participant. 

When does an ACCESS model participant need to apply by?

To participate in the first cohort, which begins July 5, 2026, applications must be submitted via the Participant Portal by May 15, 2026. Applications received after this date will be considered for a January 1, 2027, start date. 

How is provider enrollment in Medicare impacted by ACCESS model participation? 

If you are already enrolled, no further action is required with Provider Enrollment, but you must enroll with ACCESS.

For newly enrolling providers to participate in ACCESS, the participant must:
 

  1. Be a legal entity formed under applicable state, federal, or Tribal law, and authorized to conduct business in each state in which it operates.
  2. Be enrolled in Medicare Part B (DMEPOS and laboratory suppliers are excluded from participation). Participation is defined at the organizational TIN level, not the individual practitioner level. 
    NOTE: ACCESS applications will not be fully approved in the program until the Medicare enrollment process is complete (i.e. getting an NPI, submitting enrollment application, working with MAC through enrollment screening process). 
  3. Be participating, meaning they agree to accept claims assignment for all Medicare-covered services furnished to the participant’s aligned beneficiaries and agree to accept the Medicare-allowed amounts as payment in full. To be participating, complete form CMS-460, Medicare Participating Physician or Supplier Agreement. 
  4. Maintain active Medicare Part B enrollment under a single TIN.
  5. Designate (within its ACCESS application) a Medicare-enrolled physician (MD or DO) as Medical Director who will be responsible for oversight of care delivery and model performance. The Medical Director’s Medicare enrollment must be maintained and must be an employee of the ACCESS participant or is under contract with the participant.
  6. Ensure all physicians and non-physician practitioners furnishing or supervising care are individually Medicare-enrolled, participating providers or suppliers who have reassigned their Medicare billing rights to the participating TIN and practicing within applicable licensure and scope-of-practice standards.
  7. Submit (with its ACCESS application) and maintain an up-to-date roster of all its Medicare-enrolled practitioners (with NPIs) furnishing or supervising care under the TIN.

What types of services may be provided by ACCESS participants?

Examples of services that may be provided by ACCESS participants include but are not limited to: 

  • Clinician consultations 
  • Lifestyle support services such as nutrition counseling, exercise support, and smoking cessation interventions 
  • Remote monitoring via connected medical devices 
  • Therapy and behavioral health counseling 
  • Patient education and care coordination 
  • Medication prescription and management 
  • Ordering and interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic tests 
  • Connected device deployment and monitoring 
  • Deployment and oversight of FDA-cleared, authorized, or approved software devices 

These services may be delivered in-person, virtually, asynchronously, or through other technology-enabled modalities, when permitted under applicable law and clinically appropriate.

Where do providers/suppliers apply to be an ACCESS participant?

Participants must submit an application online via the ACCESS online application portal ; PDF or paper versions of the application will not be accepted. 

What happens once the ACCESS online application is submitted?

Once the ACCESS online application is submitted:

  • CMS will review the application for completion and compliance with model eligibility criteria.
  • CMS may request additional information from applicants after submission.
  • CMS may deny participation based on program integrity concerns, including adverse legal history, failure to meet enrollment requirements, or other compliance risks.
  • Not all applicants will be accepted into the ACCESS model. 
  • If selected, applicants will be required to execute an ACCESS Participation Agreement with CMS. 

Will there be a directory of approved Access participants?

Yes, to promote transparency, beneficiary choice, and quality-based competition, CMS will maintain a public-facing directory of all ACCESS participants.