The Coral Blog
Expert perspectives on policy, performance, and system change.
The Coral Blog is where we break down what’s happening in health care and what it means for leaders working to improve outcomes and affordability. Drawing from our cross-sector experience, we offer commentary that connects the dots between regulation, strategy, and operations.
Coral’s Four Takeaways from the Fall 2026 NAACOS Conference
At the Fall 2026 NAACOS Conference, Coral Health Advisors joined accountable care leaders, providers, and industry partners for conversations about the evolving value-based care landscape. Across sessions, it was clear that succeeding in accountable care takes more than participating in new payment models; it also requires organizations to think creatively about how they deliver care, coordinate across teams, and build a culture of accountability.
How the CY 2027 PFS Proposed Rule Strengthens the Case for ACO Participation
On July 14, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule, which, among other important physician payment updates, includes proposed changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).
What to Know About the Long-Term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model Request for Applications
The Request for Applications (RFA) for the Long-Term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model is now available and due May 17, 2026. The model is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’s) newest accountable care initiative, launching in 2027 as the successor to ACO REACH.
Three Takeaways from the 2026 Health Care Value Week Conference
Coral attended the 2026 Health Care Value Week conference hosted by Accountable for Health, where CMS leadership and industry stakeholders discussed priorities shaping the next phase of value-based care. Across sessions, speakers returned to a few consistent themes: the central role of CMMI models, particularly the upcoming Long–term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model, he administration’s emphasis on addressing fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA), and the growing importance of technology and interoperability in enabling accountable care.
CMMI Announces New ACO Initiative: What You Need to Know About the Long-Term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Center (CMMI) has officially announced the Long-term Enhanced ACO Design (LEAD) Model, a new voluntary accountable care model set to launch on January 1, 2027, following the conclusion of ACO REACH at the end of 2026.