On September 5, 2023, CMS announced a new voluntary, state Total Cost of Care (TCOC) model: the States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. The aim of the AHEAD model is to curb rising health care cost costs, improve population health, and advance health equity by reducing disparities in health outcomes. In order to achieve these goals, CMS will award as much as $12 million to eight participating states over a span of six years; in return, participating states will be held accountable for statewide or sub-state targets that align with model goals for payers, and for ensuring that statewide quality and equity targets for all residents are being met. To learn more about the AHEAD Model, please check out the summary below.