The Future of Medicare is LEAD
A 10-year model designed for independent practices ready to deliver better care and share in the savings. Your practice stays yours. We handle the rest.
The LEAD Model at a Glance
Year Commitment
The longest ACO model CMS has ever tested. Invest in transformation with confidence.
No Benchmark Rebasing
Keep the value of your care improvements. Your savings are your savings.
Built for Independents
Lower alignment minimums, rural add-on payments, and support designed for your practice size.
Prospective Payments
Predictable, capitated revenue instead of fee-for-service uncertainty.
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A Different Kind of Partner
We go where your busy practice can't
Pathways isn't just another ACO. We're an extension of your practice -- following your patients to the hospital, the SNF, and into their homes.
Hospital & ER Coordination
When your patients are admitted, we coordinate directly with hospitalists and ER providers to ensure smooth transitions back to your care.
SNF & Post-Acute
Skilled nursing, rehab, and post-acute care coordination. We keep eyes on your patients through every step of recovery.
Home Health & Outreach
Full home health skilled services, care coordination, disease management, proactive outreach, and non-emergency medical transportation -- removing every barrier between your patients and the care they need.
Why Now
The RFA is live. Applications close May 17.
CMS released the LEAD Model Request for Applications on March 31, 2026. The application portal is open now, with a deadline of May 17, 2026. This is the first cohort -- and early participants lock in their benchmarks for the full 10 years with no rebasing.
Pathways is applying as a Renewing ACO on the Global Risk Option with an abbreviated application. Practices that join us now enter at the ground floor of a decade-long model designed to reward the care you're already delivering.
Understand the LEAD Model2027
Model Launch Year
10yr
Model Duration
$0
Cost to Participate
100%
Shared Savings (Global)
Savings Estimator
See what LEAD could mean for your practice
Use our interactive calculator to estimate potential shared savings based on your practice size, patient panel, and care setting.
Estimate Your SavingsPowered by ALICE
ACO Intelligence Engine
Our AI-powered analytics platform doesn't just track performance -- it predicts and prevents. ALICE analyzes claims, identifies care gaps, optimizes risk adjustment, and surfaces the insights that drive savings.
Ready to Learn More?
Your practice. Our support.
Let's build something together.
Whether you're exploring value-based care for the first time or looking for a better ACO partner, we'd love to have a conversation.