CMS Launches ACCESS Model to Expand Telehealth for 63 Million Medicare Beneficiaries – Wednesday, December 3, 2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the ACCESS model to enhance digital healthcare access for Medicare beneficiaries. This initiative aims to integrate telehealth and remote patient monitoring into mainstream Medicare, reflecting a strategic shift towards digital health solutions.

Who should care: hospital CIOs, clinical operations leaders, healthcare IT directors, compliance officers, and medical technology decision-makers.

What happened?

CMS has introduced the ACCESS model, a comprehensive framework designed to expand the availability of digital healthcare services for Medicare beneficiaries. This initiative marks a deliberate effort to embed telehealth and remote patient monitoring as core components of care for seniors. By prioritizing these digital technologies, the ACCESS model seeks to address longstanding barriers to healthcare access, especially among vulnerable and underserved populations. This move signals a significant transformation in how care is delivered, emphasizing inclusivity and responsiveness through technology. The model aims to extend the benefits of digital health innovations to a broader segment of Medicare recipients, improving both the quality and efficiency of care. Ultimately, the ACCESS model is positioned to reshape healthcare delivery by making it more adaptable to the needs of seniors, particularly those living in rural or resource-limited areas where traditional healthcare access is often constrained.

Why now?

The launch of the ACCESS model coincides with a growing industry-wide focus on digital health solutions. Over the past 18 months, the adoption of telehealth and remote patient monitoring has surged, largely driven by the need to maintain continuous care during the COVID-19 pandemic. This accelerated uptake has highlighted the potential of digital tools to transform care delivery, prompting healthcare providers and policymakers to seek sustainable integration strategies. CMS’s initiative aligns with this momentum, aiming to institutionalize digital health within Medicare to ensure that seniors have reliable, long-term access to these services. By acting now, CMS is addressing both the immediate demand for remote care and the evolving expectations for healthcare accessibility and quality.

So what?

The ACCESS model represents a critical step in the digital transformation of healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries. For hospitals and healthcare providers, this initiative is likely to drive increased demand for telehealth platforms and remote patient monitoring technologies. From a strategic perspective, it offers an opportunity to improve patient engagement and clinical outcomes by adopting innovative care delivery methods that extend beyond traditional settings. Operationally, providers will need to invest in upgrading digital infrastructure, revising workflows, and enhancing staff training to effectively implement these technologies and comply with CMS requirements. Embracing the ACCESS model could position healthcare organizations to better meet the needs of a digitally connected patient population while navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance.

What this means for you:

• For hospital CIOs: Evaluate and upgrade digital infrastructure to support increased telehealth usage and ensure system scalability.
• For clinical operations leaders: Develop comprehensive strategies to integrate remote patient monitoring into care plans and improve patient outcomes.
• For healthcare IT directors: Ensure adherence to CMS guidelines while deploying and managing new digital health solutions.

Quick Hits

• Impact / Risk: The ACCESS model could significantly improve healthcare access for Medicare beneficiaries but may require substantial investments in digital infrastructure and staff training.
• Operational Implication: Providers must adapt workflows and develop training programs to support expanded telehealth and remote monitoring services effectively.
• Action This Week: Conduct a thorough review of current telehealth capabilities, identify gaps in digital infrastructure, and initiate targeted staff training on digital health tools.