From readiness to reality: What TEAM’s first year is really testing
In January 2026, CMS’s Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM) moved from policy to practice. For hospitals in mandatory regions, TEAM is no longer something to prepare for on paper; it is live, operational, and beginning to influence how episode performance is evaluated clinically, financially, and operationally. Many organizations are entering 2026 with a measured posture. … From readiness to reality: What TEAM’s first year is really testing