Medicare's New ACCESS Program: Who Qualifies, What It Costs, and How to Sign Up (2026)

If you have Original Medicare and live with a condition like high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic pain, or depression, Medicare's new ACCESS program may offer you extra support at little or no cost. It started in July 2026, and most people haven't heard of it yet.

In this guide, I'll explain what the ACCESS program is, who qualifies, what it costs, and how to sign up, in plain English. I'll also cover one important catch: people on Medicare Advantage plans can't join.

What is Medicare's ACCESS program?

ACCESS is a new Medicare program that pairs people who have chronic conditions with approved organizations that help them manage those conditions. The name stands for Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions. It began on July 5, 2026, and is planned to run for 10 years, through June 2036.

The organizations often use technology to support you between doctor visits. That can include apps, blood pressure cuffs or other home monitoring devices, and regular check-ins with a care team. The goal is to get you to a measurable result, such as lowering your blood pressure or easing your pain.

What makes ACCESS different is how Medicare pays. The organizations get full payment only when enough of their patients reach their health goals. In other words, they're paid for results, not just for activity.

Who qualifies?

You may qualify if you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and at least one chronic condition covered by an ACCESS track. People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can't join.

The program started with four tracks:

You can sign up for more than one track, with the same organization or different ones. So someone with high blood pressure and knee pain could get help with both. The one exception: you join either the eCKM track or the CKM track, not both.

What does it cost?

For most people, ACCESS costs nothing or just a few dollars a month. Each organization decides whether to waive your share of the cost, and it has to apply that choice to every patient the same way.

If an organization does charge, it must tell you the amount before you enroll. It also can't require you to buy a device to take part. If the program uses a blood pressure cuff or similar tool, the organization provides it. You will usually need a phone, tablet, or computer and internet access.

How do you sign up?

You don't need a referral. You can sign up directly with a participating organization by phone or online, or your doctor can refer you.

1. Confirm you have Original Medicare. Your red, white, and blue Medicare card shows Part A and Part B. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan card, ACCESS isn't available to you.
2. Find an organization. Go to Medicare.gov/ACCESS and search the directory by condition and location. You can also ask your doctor for a recommendation.
3. Contact the organization. They'll confirm you're eligible and tell you what, if anything, you'll pay each month.
4. Get started. The organization records your starting numbers, such as your blood pressure or a short questionnaire about your mood or pain, and sets goals with you.

To protect yourself from scams, check that the organization appears on CMS's list of ACCESS participants before you share any personal information. Medicare will never call you out of the blue to sign you up.

What stays the same?

Joining ACCESS doesn't change your Medicare coverage or your doctors.

• You keep your doctors. The ACCESS organization works alongside your regular doctors, not in place of them. It sends updates to your primary care doctor, so everyone stays on the same page.
• You keep your benefits. Your Medigap plan and Part D drug plan work the same as before.
• You can switch. You can move to a different ACCESS organization every 90 days, or stop at any time.

One thing to know: because ACCESS is a test program, a small number of people who apply are randomly placed in a comparison group. If that happens to you, you can't join that track for 12 months, but your regular Medicare care doesn't change.

Should ACCESS change your Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare decision?

For most people, no. ACCESS is one helpful extra, but it shouldn't be the main reason to switch how you get Medicare.

If you're on Medicare Advantage, you may still get similar help. Many plans already offer chronic care programs, and several large insurers have pledged to offer programs that line up with ACCESS, including Blue Shield of California, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and CVS Health (Aetna). Those programs are still listed as "coming soon," so call your plan and ask what it offers for your condition.

If you're thinking about leaving Medicare Advantage for Original Medicare, look at the full picture: premiums, doctor networks, drug coverage, and whether you can get a Medigap plan. In California, switching from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap plan may require answering health questions unless you qualify for a special right to buy one. Annual Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, so now is the time to review your options.

What's coming in 2027?

Starting April 1, 2027, ACCESS adds new tracks for heart failure, COPD, substance use disorder, and quitting tobacco. It also adds a follow-on track for people who finish the chronic pain program and want continued support.

Beginning in winter 2028, Medicare plans to publish each organization's results in the directory. That will let you compare how well organizations actually help their patients before you choose one. I'll update this guide as those changes happen.

Frequently asked questions

Does my doctor have to refer me to the ACCESS program?

No. You can sign up directly with a participating organization. Your doctor can refer you, but it isn't required.

Can I join ACCESS if I have Medicare Advantage?

No. ACCESS is only for people with Original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer similar programs, so check with your plan.

Can I use ACCESS with a Medigap plan?

Yes. Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare, so having one doesn't affect your eligibility.

Is ACCESS free?

Often, yes. Some organizations waive the cost entirely. Others charge between $3 and $7 a month, depending on the track, and must tell you before you enroll.

Do I have to stop seeing my own doctor?

No. ACCESS works alongside your current doctors and keeps them updated on your progress.

How do I find an ACCESS organization near me?

Search the directory at Medicare.gov/ACCESS by condition and location.

Ashley Watson, Medicare with Ashley | Watson Insurance SD | CA License #4052120

This article is for educational purposes only. ACCESS is a Medicare program, not an insurance plan, and Medicare with Ashley is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or CMS.

Sources

• ACCESS Technical Frequently Asked Questions, CMS
• ACCESS for Primary Care Providers and Referring Clinicians, CMS
• Support for Chronic Health Conditions (ACCESS), Medicare.gov
• ACCESS Model Participants, CMS