Quality Metrics

CMS is tightening the link between quality performance, technology-enabled chronic care, and payment: the Trump administration is expanding the Medicare ACCESS model for 2027 to include COPD, substance use disorder, and tobacco cessation while signaling interest in cross-payer alignment for chronic disease management technology (Healthcare Dive). At the same time, draft 2027 Medicare Advantage Star Ratings cutpoints are becoming harder to meet, increasing pressure on MA plans and provider partners to improve measurable outcomes rather than rely on historical performance buffers (Healthcare Dive). Stakeholder comments from Premier and the Health Care Transformation Task Force on the CY 2027 PFS/MSSP rule show the central tension for ACOs and VBC organizations: CMS is pushing more accountability for quality and outcomes, while providers are asking for less administrative burden, stronger primary care investment, and better interoperability to make those expectations operational.