On March 13, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center introduced MAHA ELEVATE (Making America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-Based Approaches Through Evidence), a new initiative that places lifestyle-based interventions at the center of care delivery for Medicare populations.

The model reflects a continued shift in federal policy toward prevention and long-term health management. Rather than focusing solely on treatment, CMS is directing attention to underlying drivers of chronic conditions such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and behavioral health. Through MAHA ELEVATE, CMS will invest up to $100 million across approximately 30 organizations over a three-year period to test how these approaches can be integrated into clinical settings and measured at scale.

Since the model’s launch, CMS has moved quickly from announcement to execution. A key recent milestone is the closing of the initial application cycle. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) application deadline for the first cohort passed on May 15, 2026, and CMS has confirmed that late submissions will not be considered. CMS is now reviewing applications and expects to notify all applicants following the evaluation process, with award announcements anticipated in Fall 2026. This marks the transition from program design to participant selection.

For many organizations, the immediate significance is practical. MAHA ELEVATE creates a near-term opportunity to secure funding for programs that may already exist in some form but have lacked the resources or structure to expand. Health systems, physician groups, and care delivery platforms that have developed wellness or chronic care initiatives may now have a pathway to formalize and grow those efforts within a federally supported framework. Recent press coverage has emphasized that the program will fund up to 30 prevention-focused pilot projects, underscoring the competitive nature of selection and the importance of demonstrating evidence-based outcomes.

At the same time, the model introduces a level of rigor that will require thoughtful planning. CMS is not only funding implementation but also expecting meaningful data on outcomes. Participants will need to demonstrate that interventions can be delivered consistently, tracked effectively, and tied to measurable improvements in patient health. This places equal weight on operational execution and clinical design. Consistent with this emphasis on accountability, CMS has already begun building the infrastructure to evaluate the model—awarding a contract in April 2026 to support implementation and monitoring activities, including data collection and performance assessment.

The structure of the model also signals an expectation that care will extend beyond traditional settings. Organizations may need to collaborate with community-based providers, digital health platforms, and other partners to deliver a more comprehensive approach. For some, this may require building new relationships or rethinking how services are coordinated across the care continuum. Press and policy commentary have highlighted that MAHA ELEVATE is designed to test “whole-person” approaches, integrating nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral health interventions that are not currently reimbursed under traditional Medicare.

Looking ahead, MAHA ELEVATE may carry implications beyond the initial funding period. CMS has indicated that results from the model could inform future Medicare coverage and payment decisions. Organizations that participate early may be better positioned to shape how lifestyle-based services are evaluated and reimbursed over time. The first cohort is expected to launch in Fall 2026, with a second cohort to follow in 2027, signaling a multi-year effort to test and potentially scale prevention-focused care models across the Medicare program.

For more information, please contact a member of our healthcare team to discuss how MAHA ELEVATE may apply to your organization and review this link for more details.