The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Make America Healthy Again: Enhancing Lifestyle and Evaluating Value-Based Approaches Through Evidence cooperative grant model.

According to a blog post by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), “this voluntary initiative is designed to test lifestyle and functional medicine interventions that address chronic diseases that are not currently covered by Medicare Fee-for-Service [FFS].”

The model is intended to complement traditional medical care by supporting whole-person approaches, including psychological, nutritional, physical, and self-care interventions.

Participation in the new model is limited to organizations that directly deliver or partner with entities that deliver whole-person functional or lifestyle medicine services to beneficiaries.

Organizations must have a Tax Identification Number, National Provider Identification, CMS Certification Number, and/or Employer Identification Number. Model participants are strongly encouraged—but not required—to enroll in Medicare FFS.

MAHA ELEVATE will fund up to 30 cooperative agreements over a three-year performance period, with a total budget of $100 million. Funds will be distributed in two rounds for two separate cohorts in 2026 and 2027.

AHCA/NCAL said organizations interested in participating in Cohort 1 must submit a Letter of Intent by April 10 and a NOFO application by May 15. The program will launch in October 2026. Cohort 2 will follow a similar process and timeline, launching in October 2027.

Read the AHCA/NCAL summary here.

Comments to pconnole@parkplacelive.com.