What's Happening?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a new payment model under the Trump administration, aimed at extending Medicare coverage to functional or lifestyle medicine providers. This initiative, known as the Make America Healthy
Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence (MAHA ELEVATE) model, will allocate $100 million to support up to 30 proposals over three-year agreements. The model is designed to offer additional healthcare options to Medicare beneficiaries, focusing on preventive care without replacing existing medical services. Abe Sutton, director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, emphasized that the goal is to empower Medicare recipients to lead healthier lives by addressing factors such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress. The CMS plans to launch the initial notice of funding opportunity in early 2026, with a full launch set for September.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of the MAHA ELEVATE model represents a significant shift in Medicare policy, potentially broadening the scope of covered services to include lifestyle and preventive care. This could lead to improved health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries by integrating conventional and innovative care approaches. The model's focus on preventive care aligns with broader healthcare trends emphasizing wellness and disease prevention. By supporting lifestyle medicine, the CMS aims to reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve quality of life for seniors. The initiative also provides an opportunity for health tech companies to engage with Medicare, potentially driving innovation in healthcare delivery and technology use.
What's Next?
The CMS will begin the process of selecting participants for the MAHA ELEVATE model in early 2026, with the full program launch scheduled for September. The outcomes of this model will be closely monitored to inform future Medicare coverage decisions. Stakeholders, including healthcare providers and tech companies, are likely to respond positively, as the model offers new opportunities for collaboration and innovation in preventive care. The success of this initiative could pave the way for further integration of lifestyle medicine into mainstream healthcare, influencing policy decisions and healthcare practices nationwide.
