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Tuesday, 7 July 2026 |
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| There was so much excitement when CMS announced the ACCESS program. Finally, a way for digital health companies to make their mark on Medicare! A program that pays only if patients get better! |
| But that enthusiasm quickly gave way to complaints about the very low payments participants would be earning. And we saw some big names in health tech, like Omada Health, decide against joining. |
| Still, nearly 200 companies did sign up for ACCESS, which kicked off this week. For a story we published today, I spoke with a handful of them to get a sense of why they’re participating and how they plan to succeed, particularly under those low payment
rates. I came away with the sense that this program is a priority — not a small side hustle — for companies. None of them are going into it thinking they'll lose money. |
| But for some, it’s also required a different approach from their usual service models. Nutrition therapy startup Berry Street, for example, will shorten its virtual appointments while also giving patients an AI health coach. Some other companies that deliver face-to-face care, such as mental health therapy, are going totally asynchronous for ACCESS. |
| I still have big questions. It’s not clear to me if companies will be able to find enough patients to make the program worthwhile. They all have different strategies, from direct-to-consumer advertising to partnering with primary care providers and health systems. |
| And even if they do find the patients, will digital interventions actually improve their health? I’m planning to check in with these companies as ACCESS matures to learn how they’re faring. Stay tuned, and read today’s story in the meantime. |
| - Shelby |
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Quote of the week
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We're humbly giving our best shot, and then really going to have to adapt and see how it goes. |
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Jon Kole, Headspace’s medical director, on the ACCESS program |
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Worldwide made. Thanks for reading.
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