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ACCESS Model Resource

Guide for PCPs & Referring Providers

How to collaborate with ACCESS organizations to support your patients' chronic care management.

Your Role in the ACCESS Model

ACCESS is designed to complement traditional care, not replace it. As a primary care provider or referring clinician, you play a crucial role in care coordination—and can earn additional revenue for your coordination activities.

Key Benefits: Extended care team support, better patient outcomes between visits, additional co-management revenue, reduced chronic care management burden, and transparency into ACCESS organization performance.

How to Refer Patients

1

Identify Eligible Patients

Patients with Original Medicare who have qualifying conditions: hypertension, diabetes, CKD, heart disease, chronic pain, depression, or anxiety

2

Review ACCESS Directory

CMS will maintain a public directory of ACCESS participants including conditions treated and risk-adjusted clinical outcomes to help patients make informed choices

3

Make the Referral

Refer patient to appropriate ACCESS organization, or inform patients they can self-enroll directly with a participating organization

4

Receive Updates

ACCESS organizations must electronically share care plans, progress updates at clinical milestones, and completion notifications

5

Bill Co-Management

Review patient updates, document coordination actions, and bill the co-management payment (no patient cost-sharing)

Eligible Patient Conditions by Track

TrackQualifying Conditions
eCKMHypertension, or 2+ of: dyslipidemia, obesity, prediabetes
CKMDiabetes, CKD (Stage 3a/3b), or cardiovascular disease
MSKChronic musculoskeletal pain (lasting 3+ months)
BHDepression or anxiety

Co-Management Payment

What Is It?

A separate payment you can bill for coordinating care with ACCESS organizations. This is in addition to any other services you provide and has no beneficiary cost-sharing.

Documentation Requirements

Review of patient updates from ACCESS organization
Documentation of care-coordination actions taken
Evidence of clinical decision-making based on updates

Examples of Coordination Actions

Medication adjustments based on ACCESS updates
Problem list updates in patient record
Care plan modifications
Follow-up scheduling
Communication with ACCESS care team
Referral for additional services

What to Expect from ACCESS Organizations

TimingCommunication You'll Receive
Treatment InitiationCare plan, baseline measurements, treatment goals
Clinical MilestonesProgress updates, outcome measurements, any concerns
Treatment CompletionFinal outcomes, recommendations, transition plan

Integration Methods: ACCESS organizations must integrate with a Health Information Exchange (HIE) or similar trusted network to allow you to securely access patient updates using standard data formats.

Benefits for Your Practice

Extended Care Team

ACCESS organizations help co-manage your patients' chronic conditions

Better Outcomes

Technology-supported care between visits improves patient health

Additional Revenue

Co-management payment for coordination activities

Reduced Burden

ACCESS handles intensive condition management

Transparency

Risk-adjusted outcomes help you choose quality partners

Patient Choice

Patients retain all Medicare rights and can see any provider

Quick Reference

Patient Eligibility

  • • Original Medicare (not MA)
  • • Qualifying chronic condition
  • • Voluntary enrollment

Your Actions

  • • Identify & refer eligible patients
  • • Review ACCESS updates
  • • Coordinate care & bill