What's Happening?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the MAHA ELEVATE model, a new payment initiative aimed at integrating functional and lifestyle medicine into Medicare. This model will allocate $100 million to support up to 30 proposals
focused on preventive health and lifestyle improvements over three-year agreements. The initiative seeks to empower Medicare beneficiaries by addressing factors such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress. The model is designed to complement existing medical services without additional costs to patients, and it aims to inform future Medicare coverage decisions.
Why It's Important?
The introduction of the MAHA ELEVATE model represents a significant shift in Medicare's approach to healthcare, emphasizing preventive and integrative care. By funding proposals that focus on lifestyle medicine, CMS aims to improve health outcomes and quality of life for Medicare beneficiaries. This model could lead to broader acceptance and integration of lifestyle medicine in healthcare, potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs by preventing chronic diseases. Health tech companies and accountable care organizations are likely to benefit from this initiative, as it aligns with their efforts to incorporate technology and preventive strategies into patient care.
What's Next?
CMS plans to release the initial notice of funding opportunity for the MAHA ELEVATE model in early 2026, with a full launch scheduled for September. The agency will use feedback from the funded programs to refine future Medicare models and coverage policies. Stakeholders such as health tech companies and accountable care organizations are expected to actively participate in the initiative, leveraging it to enhance their preventive care strategies. The success of this model could influence future healthcare policies and encourage a broader shift towards holistic and preventive care in the U.S. healthcare system.
