CMS Announces Tech-Supported Care Model for 2026

🤖 CMS just sent a message: tech-enabled care is here to stay

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services just released details on its new ACCESS Model, a national pilot aimed at strengthening tech-supported care for chronic disease, and it’s a meaningful signal for how care delivery is shifting across the U.S.

The program focuses on proactive monitoring, timely follow-up, and equipping clinics with tools that help care teams intervene earlier and more consistently. It’s designed to support high-need communities that have historically been under-resourced and overwhelmed by chronic conditions.

This direction mirrors what we’re already seeing across the clinics we support: 👉 More providers rely on continuous monitoring and AI-powered insights 👉 Care teams are catching symptoms earlier, often before escalation 👉 Virtual workflows are reducing the burden on clinic staff 👉 Patients are getting faster responses and more consistent support

🩺What clinicians should know: The ACCESS Model reinforces that tech-enabled care is no longer optional. Providers may see more opportunities (and expectations) to use virtual monitoring, structured follow-up, and data-driven decision support as part of routine chronic care. Clinics that already use these models will be well-positioned for these shifts.

🤒 What patients should know: This model is designed to give patients more consistent access to care between visits. That means quicker check-ins, earlier detection of symptoms, clearer care plans, and better support for managing complex conditions.

As we move into 2026, the ACCESS Model validates a trend we’ve been building toward for years: proactive, tech-enabled care isn’t the future. It’s becoming the standard 🙏

If you’re exploring tech-enabled chronic care or need support running a virtual care program, Vironix Health can help you get there.

Learning more about the ACCESS program here: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/access