How outcome measurement works under ACCESS
Under the CMS ACCESS Model, outcomes are not optional reporting. They are central to how performance is evaluated and how payment is aligned.
That makes Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) one of the most important technology and workflow components applicants must describe.
Are PROMs required under ACCESS?
Yes. ACCESS ties payment to measurable improvement in patient outcomes. Applicants must demonstrate they can collect validated PROMs with strict fidelity, aligned to their selected clinical track.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services defines which outcomes matter. Participants must show how those outcomes are captured reliably.
What CMS expects from PROM collection
Organizations applying to ACCESS must demonstrate:
- Use of track-specific validated PROM instruments
- PROM wording, response scales, and scoring are not modified
- Collection at baseline, required follow up intervals, and care completion
- PROM data is timestamped and patient-attributed
- Version control and audit documentation are maintained
This is not general survey collection. It is locked-fidelity outcome measurement.
Why PROM fidelity matters
Outcome data under ACCESS must be comparable, reliable, and auditable. If instruments are altered, scored inconsistently, or collected without traceability, the data cannot support reporting requirements.
PROM collection therefore becomes a technology-supported process, not just a clinical workflow.
Operational requirements behind PROMs
Applicants should be able to describe:
- How PROM cadence is triggered
- How reminders are handled
- How scoring is calculated and stored
- How timestamps and patient attribution are preserved
- How historical versions of instruments are controlled
These details show CMS that outcome measurement is structured and repeatable.
PROM readiness is an application requirement
Strong clinical care alone is not enough. ACCESS applicants must clearly document how PROMs are captured, validated, stored, and prepared for reporting.
This is one of the areas where technology design and clinical design meet.