Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2025)
Accountable for Health welcomes CMS’s announcement of the LEAD Model and its long-term commitment to accountable care in traditional Medicare. A 10-year model with more predictable benchmarks, prospective payments, and enhanced tools for prevention and care coordination reflects lessons learned from prior ACO models and responds directly to barriers that have limited participation—especially for independent, rural, and safety-net providers. We are especially pleased that LEAD’s 2027 start date provides a clear next step for ACOs currently participating in ACO REACH.
We are particularly encouraged that LEAD preserves a dedicated focus on high-needs populations, including dually eligible and homebound beneficiaries, which has been critical to the success of many high-performing ACOs under REACH. LEAD’s emphasis on patient choice, along with new flexibilities that support proactive, whole-person care, is also noteworthy. As details continue to emerge, A4H looks forward to working with CMS to ensure the model strengthens primary care, promotes equity, and creates a sustainable pathway for providers to deliver better outcomes and lower costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
Contact:
Mara McDermott, CEO of Accountable for Health
mmcdermott@accountableforhealth.org
About Accountable for Health
Accountable for Health (A4H) is a 501(c)(4) national advocacy and policy analysis organization accelerating the adoption of sustainable, effective accountable care that improves health care quality and outcomes and lower costs. We represent a broad, diverse group of accountable care stakeholders working to improve the way health care is delivered to people across the county, across various payers, programs, and delivery models. A4H provides advocacy, research, and education to improve outcomes and patient experiences while lowering costs.
For more information, visit https://accountableforhealth.org/. Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@acct4health). ###
Share
Accountable for Health supports the introduction of the bipartisan Patients First Act and looks forward to working with the bill's sponsors to strengthen these proposals and ensure they maximize physician participation in accountable care and improve quality while lowering costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
Accountable for Health is encouraged that CMS’s 2027 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule recognizes the central role primary care must play in building a stronger, more sustainable Medicare program.
Accountable for Health welcomed 2024 ACO REACH results, which showed nearly $1 billion in net Medicare savings while maintaining strong quality, further demonstrating the value of accountable care. We also urged policymakers to modernize how accountable care models are evaluated so assessments better reflect today's landscape and the latest evidence.
