If you have been putting off treatment for IBS because of cost, there is a new Medicare program for US-based patients that could make evidence-based gut-brain therapy available to you at no out-of-pocket expense.
The program is called ACCESS, and Nerva has applied to be part of it.
When accepted, eligible Medicare patients could access the full program with their costs covered by Medicare.
What is the Medicare ACCESS program and does it cover IBS?
ACCESS stands for Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions. It's a new program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – the US government agency that runs Medicare – and it is designed to help people with chronic conditions get access to treatments that work, including ones delivered digitally.¹
Right now, traditional Medicare primarily pays for office visits, procedures, and medications. It has not kept up with newer options, like evidence-based programs you can use at home in between appointments, that help people manage ongoing health conditions.¹
ACCESS is designed to fill that gap.
The program covers conditions that affect millions of Medicare beneficiaries, including high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic pain, depression, and anxiety.¹
And here is the part that makes it different from most insurance programs: it pays based on whether patients actually improve, not simply on how many services are provided.
What does ACCESS cover mean for you if you have IBS?
If you are on Medicare and living with IBS, you have probably experienced the frustration of paying out of pocket for treatments that your insurance does not cover. Gut-directed hypnotherapy is recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology as part of IBS management, but most patients cannot access it because it is expensive, has long waitlists, or is simply not covered by their plan.²
ACCESS could change that.
The program allows participating organizations like Nerva to waive the costs patients would normally pay, meaning eligible Medicare beneficiaries could access covered treatments at no personal cost.³
If you have IBS, there is a good chance you are also dealing with gut-related anxiety, stress, or low mood – research shows these go hand in hand with gut-brain disorders.⁴ Nerva's 6-week program is designed to improve not just your digestive symptoms but also how you feel day to day, including anxiety, mood, and your ability to get on with life.
That is exactly the kind of measurable improvement ACCESS was built to support.
How would Medicare cover IBS treatment through ACCESS?
When Nerva is accepted into ACCESS, using the program as a Medicare patient will be straightforward.
You could either register for Nerva directly or be referred by your doctor. Your regular healthcare team will stay involved – your doctor can receive updates on your progress and will continue to manage all of your other care as usual.¹
You would keep all your existing Medicare benefits. ACCESS does not replace anything about your current coverage. It adds a new option for managing chronic conditions with treatments that were previously difficult to access or afford.
The Nerva program combines gut-directed hypnotherapy with CBT education and breathing techniques to calm the overactive gut-brain connection that drives IBS symptoms.⁵ To date, it has helped over 300,000+ people worldwide.
In a clinical trial conducted with Monash University, 81% of people who completed the program saw a meaningful improvement in symptom management.⁵ Sessions take about 15 minutes per day, and you do them at home on your own schedule.
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Why is IBS treatment so expensive without insurance coverage?
Many people with IBS know that treatments exist beyond diet and medication – but cost keeps those treatments out of reach.
Gut-brain therapy has historically required expensive specialist appointments, long waitlists, or significant out-of-pocket spending on programs that insurance would not cover.
ACCESS directly addresses these roadblocks.
By paying for outcomes rather than visits, the program makes it possible for treatments like Nerva to be covered through Medicare – creating a pathway where the only thing that matters is whether the treatment helps you get better.
As Alex Naoumidis, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Mindset Health, describes it: "There are millions of people on Medicare living with gut-brain disorders who know their symptoms are real but have never been offered a treatment that addresses the gut-brain connection directly. ACCESS has the potential to change that – to make evidence-based care available to people based on whether it works, not whether they can afford it out of pocket."
When will Medicare ACCESS coverage be available for IBS patients?
Nerva's application to the ACCESS program has been provisionally accepted. There are still steps ahead, but if you are interested in being among the first to know when updates are available, you can register below.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do anything right now to get my IBS treatment covered by Medicare?
Nerva's ACCESS application is still being reviewed, so there is nothing you need to act on today. Registering your interest ensures you will be notified as soon as there are updates about Medicare coverage availability.
Will my regular doctor still be involved in my care?
ACCESS is designed to work alongside your existing healthcare team. Your doctor can refer you to the program, receive updates on your progress, and continue managing all your other care with full Medicare benefits intact.¹
Does this apply to Medicare Advantage plans?
The ACCESS program is currently available to people enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are not eligible during the initial phase of the program.³
What if I am not on Medicare?
Nerva is available to everyone regardless of insurance status. The ACCESS program creates a new coverage pathway specifically for US-based Medicare beneficiaries, but existing pricing options, referral discounts, and financial assistance remain available for all other patients.
Is Nerva only for IBS?
Nerva is a gut-brain therapy program that addresses the underlying gut-brain connection driving digestive symptoms.⁵ While it was originally developed for IBS, it also helps people with other gut-brain disorders, including functional dyspepsia and chronic bloating, because these conditions share the same mechanism.
