Eligible patients with Original Medicare can now access Nerva's gut-brain therapy program for IBS and other gut-brain disorders at no out-of-pocket cost through the CMS ACCESS Model, confirmed by a short eligibility check.¹
If you live with IBS or another gut-brain disorder, you may know this pattern: your doctor explains that your symptoms are driven by the gut-brain connection, and that a program like Nerva could help alongside diet and medication – but cost gets in the way. You want to try it, but it isn't covered, or it's simply more than you can spend.
And that's what's changing.
What is the CMS ACCESS Model?
Mindset Health, the company behind Nerva, is participating in the CMS ACCESS Model from July 5, 2026. It's a new payment model from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), so for the first time, eligible patients with Original Medicare can access the full Nerva gut-brain therapy program at no out-of-pocket cost.¹
What makes ACCESS different is how it pays for care. Traditional Medicare pays for each visit or service; ACCESS instead rewards programs based on whether they actually help people get better. The focus is on real results – which is exactly why an evidence-based program like Nerva fits the model.
Gut-brain behavioral therapies are already recommended for IBS and other gut-brain disorders by leading organizations, including the American College of Gastroenterology and the Rome Foundation.² But just because it's recommended doesn't mean it's within reach – for many, the cost has simply been too high to get started. That's the barrier ACCESS removes.
"There are millions of people on Medicare living with gut-brain disorders who have never been offered a program that addresses the gut-brain connection directly. With ACCESS, those people now have access to care that was out of reach – not because the evidence was missing, but because the payment model had not caught up." – Alex Naoumidis, Nerva Co-Founder and Co-CEO
How to access Nerva at no out-of-pocket cost
A short eligibility check confirms how you can access Nerva at no cost:
- If you have Original Medicare, you can access Nerva at no out-of-pocket cost through the CMS ACCESS Model.
- If you’re aged 65+ but are not eligible for ACCESS, ask your healthcare provider for a referral – we’ll then work with your insurer where possible, or cover the cost ourselves when coverage isn’t available. You can also check your eligibility here.
If you have Original Medicare and you're eligible to access Nerva at no cost, you'll keep all ofyour existing Medicare benefits and continue seeing your regular healthcare providers. This means ACCESS is designed to work alongside your usual care, not replace it.¹
A step-by-step guide to getting started
Getting set up with a new app can feel like a hurdle, so we've put together a simple, step-by-step guide that walks you through the whole process, from getting access to starting your first session, including help with any tech bumps along the way.
Download the guide if you signed up yourself →
"So many people tell us the same thing – I need this, but I can't afford it. Delivering an evidence-based, outcomes-measured gut-brain therapy program costs real money to build and maintain, and until now that cost has fallen on the patient. ACCESS shifts that – creating a Medicare pathway where what matters is whether the program helps you get better. Our hope is that this is just the start – that commercial and Medicare Advantage plans follow, and that coverage grows to reach the many people living with GI symptoms too."
– Alex Naoumidis, Nerva Co-Founder and Co-CEO
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Does gut-brain therapy work?
Gut-brain therapy has strong clinical evidence and is recommended by leading gastroenterology organizations.²
Nerva is a structured 6-week gut-brain therapy program, and in a clinical trial published in a leading medical journal, 81% of people using Nerva saw significant improvements in managing their IBS symptoms, which is more than the 63% who improved using a comparison program.³
So, for anyone who has wanted to try gut-brain therapy but has been held back by cost, this removes the barrier.
Check your eligibility for accessing Nerva for no out-of-pocket cost
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover IBS?
Medicare covers medically necessary IBS diagnostic tests and some prescription treatments, but has not historically covered gut-brain behavioral therapy programs like Nerva. Through the CMS ACCESS Model, eligible patients with Original Medicare can now access Nerva’s digital program at no out-of-pocket cost.¹
Is Nerva covered by insurance?
Nerva isn't routinely covered by private insurance, but that doesn't mean you have to pay full price. Eligible patients aged 65 and older can access it at no out-of-pocket cost, and younger patients may qualify for financial assistance.
Who is eligible to access Nerva through Medicare?
People with Original Medicare are eligible to access Nerva through the CMS ACCESS Model. There's no change to how you enroll – we'll confirm your eligibility before you start the program. The easiest way to get started is to talk to your healthcare provider or check your eligibility here.
Does everyone with Original Medicare qualify?
Not automatically – the ACCESS Model covers specific chronic conditions, and your eligibility is confirmed by a short check when you start. If you have Original Medicare but are not eligible for ACCESS, ask your doctor for a referral – we’ll then work with your insurer where possible, or cover the cost ourselves when coverage isn’t available.
Is Nerva available at no cost for people over 65?
Nerva is available at no out-of-pocket cost for eligible patients aged 65 and older, whatever their Medicare status. If you don't have Original Medicare, Mindset Health works with your insurer where possible or covers the cost directly – so for those aged 65+, it means it’s very likely there's a no-cost route for you. The best way to get started is to talk to your healthcare provider for a referral or check your eligibility.
How much does Nerva cost if I'm not on Medicare or under 65?
Nerva costs $199 USD for 12 months of full access, and you can start with a free 7-day trial and a full money-back guarantee. You can also pay using HSA or FSA funds, and if you're facing financial hardship, Nerva's Patient Assistance Program can cover up to 100% of the cost.
Important information
Nerva is a self-guided program that may help people self-manage a diagnosed disorder of the gut-brain interaction. It has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Do not change prescribed medication or treatment without professional advice. Eligible US patients aged 65+ may access Nerva at no out-of-pocket cost, confirmed when you check eligibility. Nerva is not administered by Medicare or the government, and CMS does not endorse Nerva beyond Mindset Health's participation in the CMS ACCESS Model.
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