The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a transformative initiative with a mandatory focus on physical activity and nutrition: the “Make America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-based Approaches Through Evidence(MAHA ELEVATE) Model.” The initiative will provide $100 million in funding for up to 30 grants to assess whole-person care approaches not currently covered by original Medicare.
For those interested in applying for the grant, a mandatory letter of intent (LOI) is due April 10, 2026, and the full application deadline is May 15, 2026.
This opportunity is significant for ACSM members and our Exercise is Medicine Program:
- MAHA ELEVATE Model aligns with ACSM’s mission to advance the science and practice of health and human performance.
- For our clinical exercise physiologists and researchers, the MAHA ELEVATE Model represents a significant shift in how the federal government views lifestyle interventions. CMS is moving from reactively addressing symptoms to proactively addressing root causes of physical inactivity and poor health.
- Reimbursement Pathways: Success could lead to permanent Medicare coverage for exercise-based programs.
- Clinical Integration: The model could create a bridge for ACSM-certified professionals to become more deeply integrated into primary care teams.
- Evidence Generation: The model will help provide the data needed to prove that “Exercise is Medicine” is a cost-saving component of the U.S. health system.
ACSM members should consider applying or partnering if they are part of:
- Clinical Practices & Health Systems: Organizations already integrating exercise professionals into patient care.
- Academic Medical Centers: Entities with the research infrastructure to track the cost and quality data CMS requires.
- Community-Based Organizations: Groups with a proven record of delivering lifestyle interventions to older adults.
Timeline:
- Mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI) due: April 10, 2026
- Full application deadline: May 15, 2026
- Cohort 1 Launch: October 2026
Don’t miss this exciting new CMS funding opportunity that is a milestone for the ACSM Exercise is Medicine Program and could be a major step toward our vision to extend and enrich lives through the power of movement.
