The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is expanding digital health access for seniors through the Health Tech Ecosystem, a strategic initiative to integrate vetted third-party apps and connected devices into Medicare care. This framework includes the Medicare App Library and the ACCESS Model, which provides technology-enabled care for chronic conditions in traditional Medicare.
The Medicare App Library and Health Tech Ecosystem
Launched in April 2026, the Medicare App Library serves as a curated directory of third-party health applications that meet specific CMS privacy and security requirements. According to CMS, the ecosystem partners with private-sector developers, electronic health record (EHR) vendors, and payers to standardize how health data is exchanged between patients and providers.
The library focuses on three primary use cases to improve patient outcomes:
- Chronic Disease Management: Tools for the prevention and management of obesity and diabetes, including medication tracking and prediabetes resources.
- AI-Driven Navigation: Conversational AI assistants designed to help beneficiaries check symptoms and manage care options.
- Administrative Efficiency: “Kill the clipboard” apps that allow patients to share identity and health information electronically during check-ins and receive digital visit summaries.
As of June 2026, the library lists five available apps, with eight more pending. Users can filter these tools by 13 different features, including wearable device connectivity and caregiver sharing options. Data from a September 2025 KFF Health Tracking Poll indicates a strong demand for these tools: 78% of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older used a health app or website in the previous year, and 75% specifically used them to access medical records or lab results.
The ACCESS Model: Tech-Enabled Care for Chronic Conditions
The CMS Innovation Center launched the ACCESS Model in December 2025 to test a voluntary payment approach for traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Scheduled to run for 10 years from July 2026 through June 2036, the model focuses on four clinical tracks: cardiovascular, kidney, or metabolic conditions; musculoskeletal pain; and behavioral health (such as depression).
Under this model, 190 accepted organizations—including health systems and digital health firms—receive monthly payments to manage these conditions. According to CMS, full payment for these providers is tied to achieving specific health outcomes, such as reaching a target blood pressure level for hypertensive patients.
The model allows for a flexible range of technology, including:
- Clinical Devices: FDA-regulated tools like continuous glucose monitors and blood pressure cuffs.
- Consumer Wearables: Smartwatches and fitness trackers.
- Software: Mobile applications and non-FDA regulated health software.
While traditional Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in the ACCESS Model, those in Medicare Advantage plans are ineligible. However, 16 Medicare Advantage insurers have pledged to implement similar care models. Currently, 95% of Medicare Advantage plans offer fitness benefits that may include discounts on the types of wearable devices used in the ACCESS Model.
Medicare Plan Finder Enhancements and AI Integration
CMS has updated the official Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov to reduce the friction beneficiaries face when comparing coverage. A primary update is the inclusion of Medicare Advantage provider directory information, allowing users to verify if their doctors are in a plan’s network without visiting separate insurer websites.
Additional updates include:
- Supplemental Benefit Transparency: Detailed cost-sharing and prior authorization data for benefits, including dental, vision, and hearing.
- AI Prescription Search: A new AI-powered tool for personalized cost comparisons across pharmacies.
These updates target a significant gap in beneficiary behavior.
Digital Health Adoption Comparison
The following table contrasts the current adoption of digital health tools among the Medicare population based on KFF and CMS data.
| Technology/Tool | Adoption/Usage Rate | Primary Use/Status |
|---|---|---|
| General Health Apps/Websites | 78% | Accessing medical records and lab results |
| Electronic Wearables | 23% | Monitoring health or activity (2024 data) |
| Chronic Condition Apps | 23% | Management with a healthcare provider |
| Medicare.gov Website | Not specified | General information and plan searching |
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