Opportunity Information: Apply for CMS 4S4 24 001
The States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) funding opportunity that invites states and territories to apply for a voluntary, state-based payment and service delivery model aimed at slowing health care cost growth, improving overall population health, and advancing health equity by reducing disparities in outcomes. The program is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning CMS expects an ongoing partnership with selected awardees as they plan, implement, and operate the model. The opportunity is listed as a discretionary program under the Affordable Care Act (CFDA 93.968) and is identified by Funding Opportunity Number CMS-4S4-24-001.
At its core, AHEAD is designed to test a flexible statewide or sub-state framework where states take responsibility for meeting accountability targets related to (1) all-payer and Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) cost growth, (2) investment in primary care, and (3) equity and population health outcomes. Rather than focusing only on a single payer or a narrow slice of the system, the model is built around multi-payer alignment and broader system accountability, with the idea that cost containment and better outcomes are more achievable when Medicare FFS, Medicaid, and other payers are pulling in the same direction.
The model includes several major components intended to help participating states reach those targets. First, selected states receive an upfront investment through the cooperative agreement funding to support planning and implementation activities. Second, participating hospitals would operate under Medicare FFS and Medicaid hospital global budgets, a payment approach that sets a budgetary target for hospital revenue/spending and is intended to encourage hospitals to manage costs and shift attention toward prevention and efficient care rather than maximizing volume. Third, AHEAD includes a primary care program for participating primary care practices, reflecting the model emphasis on increasing and sustaining primary care investment as a lever for better outcomes and reduced avoidable utilization.
AHEAD runs for 11 years in total, spanning 2024 through 2034, with all cohorts ending on December 31, 2034. States must apply into one of three cohorts depending on how ready they are to implement the model, which allows CMS to accommodate different starting points and capacities across applicants. CMS plans to select up to eight award recipients through a competitive process. Each selected awardee can receive up to $12 million in cooperative agreement funding, distributed over a period of up to six years, to support the work required to launch and operationalize the model.
Eligibility is limited to state governments and qualifying U.S. territories, specifically state agencies such as State Medicaid Agencies (SMAs), state public health agencies, state insurance agencies, or other state entities that have relevant rate-setting or budget authority and can legally accept and administer the cooperative agreement funds. States are allowed to submit a joint application involving multiple state agencies, but CMS requires that only one agency serve as the official award recipient and accept the funds. If the State Medicaid Agency is not the designated recipient agency, it must still be included as a subrecipient, underscoring Medicaid's central role in the model structure and hospital/primary care payment changes.
Geographic eligibility includes all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, as long as the proposed state or sub-state region includes at least 10,000 resident Medicare FFS beneficiaries enrolled in Parts A and B, based on CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment data. Applicants may propose participation either statewide or within a specific sub-state region, but sub-state participation is subject to CMS approval during application review. If a state starts with a sub-state region, there may be an option to expand that region during the pre-implementation period, but any expansion requires CMS approval and is not guaranteed.
There are also important program interaction limits tied to the Making Care Primary (MCP) Model. If MCP is operating statewide in a state, that state cannot participate in AHEAD. If MCP is only operating in a sub-state region, the state may still apply for AHEAD, but only in a different sub-state region with no geographic overlap. This restriction is meant to prevent duplicative model participation and conflicting incentives in the same geography.
Key administrative details from the notice include an original application closing date of August 12, 2024, an award ceiling of $12,000,000 per recipient, and an expectation of up to eight total awards. The sponsoring agency is CMS, and the opportunity was created on November 16, 2023. Overall, AHEAD is positioned as a long-term, system-level transformation effort that combines upfront implementation funding with payment reform tools (global hospital budgets and primary care supports) and formal accountability targets to drive cost control, improve health outcomes, and measurably reduce inequities.Apply for CMS 4S4 24 001
- The Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services in the affordable care act sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.968.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $12,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model - FAQs
What is the AHEAD Model?
The States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model is a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) funding opportunity that invites states and territories to apply for a voluntary, state-based payment and service delivery model. The model is intended to slow health care cost growth, improve overall population health, and advance health equity by reducing disparities in outcomes.
Who is offering this funding opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
What is the funding opportunity number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is CMS-4S4-24-001.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is identified as a discretionary program under the Affordable Care Act with CFDA (Assistance Listing) 93.968.
Is participation required?
No. The AHEAD Model is described as a voluntary, state-based model.
What type of award is this?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means CMS expects an ongoing partnership with selected awardees as they plan, implement, and operate the model.
How long does the AHEAD Model run?
The model runs for 11 years total, spanning 2024 through 2034. All cohorts end on December 31, 2034.
How many cohorts are available, and why?
States must apply into one of three cohorts depending on their readiness to implement the model. This structure is meant to accommodate different starting points and capacities across applicants.
How many awards does CMS expect to make?
CMS plans to select up to eight award recipients through a competitive process.
What is the maximum amount of funding per awardee?
Each selected awardee can receive up to $12,000,000 in cooperative agreement funding.
Over what time period is the cooperative agreement funding distributed?
The funding may be distributed over a period of up to six years to support the work required to launch and operationalize the model.
What is the funding intended to support?
Selected states receive an upfront investment through cooperative agreement funding to support planning and implementation activities needed to launch and operationalize the AHEAD Model.
What are the main accountability targets under AHEAD?
The AHEAD Model is designed around states taking responsibility for meeting accountability targets related to: (1) all-payer and Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) cost growth, (2) investment in primary care, and (3) equity and population health outcomes.
What does "all-payer alignment" mean in the context of AHEAD?
Based on the description provided, AHEAD is built around multi-payer alignment and broader system accountability, aiming to align Medicare FFS, Medicaid, and other payers so they are "pulling in the same direction" to support cost containment and improved outcomes.
What payment approach is used for participating hospitals?
Participating hospitals would operate under Medicare FFS and Medicaid hospital global budgets. A global budget sets a budgetary target for hospital revenue/spending and is intended to encourage hospitals to manage costs and shift attention toward prevention and efficient care rather than maximizing volume.
Is there a primary care component?
Yes. The model includes a primary care program for participating primary care practices and emphasizes increasing and sustaining primary care investment as a lever for better outcomes and reduced avoidable utilization.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments and qualifying U.S. territories. Eligible applicants include state agencies such as State Medicaid Agencies (SMAs), state public health agencies, state insurance agencies, or other state entities that have relevant rate-setting or budget authority and can legally accept and administer the cooperative agreement funds.
Can multiple state agencies apply together?
Yes. States are allowed to submit a joint application involving multiple state agencies, but CMS requires that only one agency serve as the official award recipient and accept the funds.
Does the State Medicaid Agency have to be involved?
Yes. If the State Medicaid Agency is not the designated recipient agency, it must still be included as a subrecipient, reflecting Medicaid's central role in the model structure and payment changes.
Which geographies are eligible?
Geographic eligibility includes all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Is there a Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary threshold for the proposed area?
Yes. The proposed state or sub-state region must include at least 10,000 resident Medicare FFS beneficiaries enrolled in Parts A and B, based on CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment data.
Can an applicant propose a sub-state region instead of statewide participation?
Yes. Applicants may propose participation either statewide or within a specific sub-state region, but sub-state participation is subject to CMS approval during application review.
Can a state expand from a sub-state region to a larger area later?
If a state starts with a sub-state region, there may be an option to expand that region during the pre-implementation period. Any expansion requires CMS approval and is not guaranteed.
How does the AHEAD Model interact with the Making Care Primary (MCP) Model?
There are limits to prevent overlapping participation. If MCP is operating statewide in a state, that state cannot participate in AHEAD. If MCP is operating only in a sub-state region, the state may still apply for AHEAD, but only in a different sub-state region with no geographic overlap.
Why is geographic overlap with MCP restricted?
The restriction is described as a way to prevent duplicative model participation and conflicting incentives in the same geography.
What was the original application closing date listed for this opportunity?
The notice lists an original application closing date of August 12, 2024.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on November 16, 2023.
Is this a competitive opportunity?
Yes. CMS plans to select awardees through a competitive process (with up to eight recipients).
What is the overall goal of the AHEAD Model?
AHEAD is positioned as a long-term, system-level transformation effort that combines upfront implementation funding with payment reform tools (including global hospital budgets and primary care supports) and formal accountability targets to drive cost control, improve health outcomes, and measurably reduce inequities.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Affordable Care Act
Next opportunity: DRL Protecting Freedom of Expression in Ukraine
Previous opportunity: UNDERSERVED AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY MICROGRIDS (UICM)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for CMS 4S4 24 001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (CMS 4S4 24 001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| BJA FY 21 John R. Justice (JRJ) Program Formula Grant Solicitation Apply for O BJA 2021 44009 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 44009 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $115,000 |
| BJA FY 21 The Intellectual Property Enforcement Program: Protecting Public Health, Safety, and the Economy from Counterfeit Goods and Product Piracy Apply for O BJA 2021 46004 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 46004 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| BJA FY 21 The Kevin and Avonte Program: Reducing Injury and Death of Missing Individuals with Dementia and Developmental Disabilities Apply for O BJA 2021 44004 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 44004 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Harold Rogers Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Apply for O BJA 2021 49001 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 49001 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Adult Drug Court and Veterans Treatment Court Discretionary Grant Program Apply for O BJA 2021 46003 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 46003 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Tribal Justice System Infrastructure Training and Technical Assistance Initiative Apply for O BJA 2021 49002 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 49002 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Training and Technical Assistance Program Apply for O BJA 2021 45002 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 45002 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Justice Information Sharing Training and Technical Assistance (JIS TTA) Program Apply for O BJA 2021 51001 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 51001 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Implementing the PREA Standards, Protecting Inmates, and Safeguarding Communities Apply for O BJA 2021 41003 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 41003 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Program Apply for O BJA 2021 51003 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 51003 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Site Based and Training and Technical Assistance Program Apply for O BJA 2021 60001 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 60001 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Smart Prosecution - Innovative Prosecution Solutions Apply for O BJA 2021 55002 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 55002 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $340,000 |
| BJA FY 2020 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Program Requirements and Application Instructions Apply for O BJA 2020 62002 Funding Number: O BJA 2020 62002 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $95,000 |
| BJA FY 21 Second Chance Act Community-Based Reentry Program Apply for O BJA 2021 58002 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 58002 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| BJA FY 2021 Invited to Apply - Presidential Nominating Conventions Apply for O BJA 2021 60013 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 60013 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| U.S. Department of Justice Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation Fiscal year 2021 Competitive Grant Announcement Apply for O BJA 2021 60008 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 60008 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $620,000 |
| BJA FY 2021 Invited to Apply - Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance (EFLEA) Program Apply for O BJA 2021 66002 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 66002 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $1,301,955 |
| BJA FY 2021 Invited to Apply- Special Assistant United States Attorney Program to Support the Response to Precipitous Increase in McGirt v. Oklahoma-related cases Apply for O BJA 2021 60018 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 60018 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| BJA FY 2021 Invited to Apply - Special Assistant United States Attorney Program to Support the Response to Precipitous Increase in McGirt v. Oklahoma-related cases Apply for O BJA 2021 60016 Funding Number: O BJA 2021 60016 Agency: Bureau of Justice Assistance Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated Exchanges Apply for CMS NAV 24 001 Funding Number: CMS NAV 24 001 Agency: Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services Category: Affordable Care Act Funding Amount: $16,792,500 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "CMS 4S4 24 001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.