The AHEAD model and the potential to advance equity through population-based care

This article is featuring analysis and discussion of how to understand, design, support, and measure patient-centered, cost-efficient care under the umbrella of accountable care.

This article is written by Joshua Liao and Amol Navathe in response to the latest developments in policy and research affecting accountable care. 

AHEAD continues recent trends in payment model policy, seeking to improve health outcomes, advance equity, and address health care spending. Its features include enhanced primary care investment, requiring explicit health equity implementation plans, and care redesign in a total-cost-of-care framework. The model recognizes the need for coordination across the care continuum, the impact of both medical and non-medical drivers of health, and the role of community-based services. In these respects, the mission behind AHEAD aligns with those of other CMS Innovation Center programs, such as the Accountable Communities of Health Model, ACO REACH and Making Care Primary.