The Long-term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model is the CMS Innovation Center’s newest Accountable Care Organization (ACO) focused model, set to launch following the conclusion of ACO REACH at the end of 2026.
LEAD builds upon the CMS Innovation Center’s earlier accountable care work and utilizes improved benchmarking to appeal to a broader mix of health care providers, including those with specialized patient populations and those new to ACOs
How organizations will win under LEAD RFA
As organizations prepare for the CMS LEAD model as ACO REACH concludes, many are focused on understanding the requirements but may not be prepared to operationalize them. Success under LEAD will depend on the ability to accurately model benchmarks and execute with confidence across clinical, financial, and data teams. In this session, we move beyond definitions to explore what it actually takes to perform in the first year of LEAD and beyond. We’ll share practical insights on where organizations are most likely to struggle—and how leading teams will get ahead.
What you’ll learn:
- The core capabilities and operating model required to succeed under LEAD RFA
- A practical 0–180+ day roadmap to move from readiness to performance
- The most common failure points (data, attribution, incentives, and workflows) and how to avoid them
- How to translate analytics into actionable workflows that impact cost, quality, and outcomes
- Key considerations for managing financial risk, forecasting performance, and avoiding surprises at reconciliation
- How leading organizations are aligning payers, providers, and data to create a single source of truth
Join us to gain a clear, executive-level understanding of the LEAD RFA and how to successfully perform under it.
Speakers
Francesca Hammerstrom
General Manager, Value Based Care, Milliman MedInsight
Jonah Broulette
Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman
