National challenge seeks to leverage community care networks to support dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries
WASHINGTON — April 23, 2026 — The Administration for Community Living (ACL), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today launched Phase 1 of the Health at Home Challenge. This competition is designed to improve health, independence, and affordability of care for dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries by scaling advanced community care networks, led by community care hubsthat integrate health care and community care.
In the U.S., 80% of modifiable health outcomes occur outside of clinical settings, in individuals’ homes and communities. Community-based aging and disability network providers help older adults and people with disabilities access services that address many health needs.
The Health at Home Challenge will recognize and reward partnerships between health plans, health systems, and community-based organizations that support whole-person health for dually eligible and near dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.
“This competition is an important step in scaling an effective approach to whole-person care for older adults and people with disabilities," said Principal Deputy Administrator Mary Lazare, the senior official performing the duties of the ACL Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging. “Through this effort, ACL is advancing community-based care models that meet people where they live, ensuring millions of Americans can access the high-quality care and supports they need to stay healthy and independent.”
The competition will run in three phases, each offering up to $2 million in prize funding. Phase 1 will reward innovative strategies to scale comprehensive services to reach more higher-need dually eligible and near dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries through community-clinical partnerships.
Phase 2 will focus on implementing the winning strategies selected in Phase 1. Phase 3 will focus on scaling and demonstrating an increase in days at home and reductions in total cost of care among dually (and near) eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Additional prizes may be awarded to Phase 2 and Phase 3 winners for particularly innovative approaches that support individuals with complex needs at risk of Medicaid spend down, as well as to those leveraging artificial intelligence to achieve the Challenge’s goals.
More information about the competition is available at Health at Home Challenge.