What's Happening?
Oura, a smart ring manufacturer, and Counsel Health, an AI-native primary care company, have joined the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Advancing Chronic Care with Effective Scalable Solutions (ACCESS) Model. This collaboration aims to
test the effectiveness of integrating continuous health data from Oura's smart rings with Counsel Health's medical AI and physician support to improve chronic care management at scale. Counsel Health will participate in the eCKM (early cardio-kidney-metabolic) track of the ACCESS Model, offering no-cost chronic care management to eligible Medicare beneficiaries with conditions such as hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and prediabetes, starting in early 2027. The Oura app will promote Counsel’s ACCESS program and connect interested members, with Counsel physicians confirming clinical eligibility and managing care. This initiative builds on an existing partnership between the two companies, which integrates clinical care and AI-based triage directly into the Oura app.
Why It's Important?
This partnership represents a significant step in the evolution of healthcare delivery, particularly for the Medicare population, where over 90% of adults aged 65 and older live with a chronic condition. By leveraging wearable technology and artificial intelligence, the ACCESS Model seeks to shift chronic care management from an episodic model to a continuous, proactive approach. This could lead to more personalized care, earlier detection of health issues, and potentially better patient outcomes for chronic diseases. The value-based payment program of the ACCESS Model, which reimburses digital health companies based on patient outcomes rather than services, incentivizes innovative and efficient care models. If successful, this initiative could influence future healthcare policies and expand access to technology-enabled chronic care for a broader segment of the U.S. population, potentially reducing healthcare costs and improving the quality of life for millions of Americans.
What's Next?
Beginning in early 2027, Counsel Health will commence offering no-cost chronic care management to eligible Medicare beneficiaries under the ACCESS Model. The collaboration will provide an opportunity to study the effectiveness of this integrated model at scale, particularly in understanding how continuous biometric data combined with physician-led care can support Medicare beneficiaries managing various cardio-kidney-metabolic conditions. Oura's chief medical officer, Ricky Bloomfield, stated that the ACCESS program will allow them to build and learn from this strong foundation. The findings from this initiative could inform future developments in digital health and chronic disease management, potentially leading to wider adoption of similar models by other healthcare providers and insurers. The success of this program could also influence the payment rates and structure of future value-based care models within CMS.
Beyond the Headlines
The integration of wearable technology and AI into chronic care management raises broader implications regarding data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the changing role of human clinicians. While continuous biometric data offers unprecedented insights into patient health, ensuring the security and ethical use of this sensitive information will be paramount. The reliance on AI in triage and care guidance necessitates careful consideration of its accuracy and potential for bias, especially in diverse patient populations. Furthermore, this model could redefine the patient-provider relationship, moving towards a more collaborative and data-driven approach. The success of such initiatives may also highlight the need for digital literacy among older adults to fully benefit from these technologies. This shift could also pave the way for preventive healthcare models that proactively address health risks before they escalate, potentially transforming the overall healthcare landscape in the U.S.
