APTA, Hartford HealthCare Launch Frailty Pilot to Advance Value-Based Care

APTA and Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network have launched a pilot to test an early frailty identification and intervention model with the goals of helping aging populations and gathering real-world evidence to support value-based care and payment. Announced by leaders from both organizations at the APTA Payment Advocacy Summit, the initiative highlights APTA's leadership in advancing value-based healthcare and elevating the role of physical therapist services in prevention.

A Prevention-First Model for Aging Populations

The pilot evaluates APTA's Growing Older and Living Stronger™, or GOALS, model within the Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network, positioning physical therapists at the forefront of standardized screening, assessment, and coordinated care intervention.

"The partnership between APTA and Hartford HealthCare represents a significant step forward in transforming how we think about aging and care delivery," said APTA President Kyle Covington, PT, DPT, PhD. "By leveraging the unique role of physical therapists to identify risk earlier and intervene proactively, we have an opportunity to improve health outcomes while demonstrating the value of prevention-driven care."

Real-World Data to Inform Payment Policy

Over the course of the yearlong initiative, participants will be assessed at multiple intervals to evaluate changes in frailty and functional status; engagement with recommended services; rates of falls; emergency department visits and hospitalizations; and their ability to maintain independence and remain in their current living setting.

"Hartford HealthCare is proud to partner with the American Physical Therapy Association to develop and share an innovative approach to managing frailty," said Hartford HealthCare Community Network Vice President of Operations Chris Carlin, OTR/L, MBA. "By bringing together the strengths of both organizations, we have created a unique framework to proactively identify frailty and associated risks, align targeted interventions, and preserve individuals' independence and ability to age in place. This physical therapist-driven, value-based model is practical, impactful, and highly adaptable across the healthcare continuum."

Implementing APTA's Value-Based Care Strategy to Advance Patient Access and PT Payment

APTA developed the GOALS model based on feedback from federal agencies and healthcare leaders to shift care upstream and demonstrate the value of prevention. The work aligns with APTA's strategic framework to advance value-based care and expand sustainable payment pathways for physical therapy.

If successful, the pilot could serve as a model for broader adoption across a wide range of care settings, including independent practices, other health systems, accountable care organizations, and other risk-bearing entities working to advance value-based payment models.

"We believe the GOALS model has the potential to reshape how healthcare systems approach aging populations," said APTA Senior Payment Specialist Alice Bell, PT, DPT. "This model focuses on delivering the right care at the right time and with a focus on prevention and risk mitigation."

What The Hartford HealthCare Pilot of the APTA GOALS Model Means for APTA Members

For APTA members, the pilot shows how advocacy and innovation translate into real-world impact. It reinforces the profession's growing role in population health, supports new reimbursement opportunities tied to outcomes, and strengthens the case for physical therapists as essential providers in value-based systems. Early results from the GOALS pilot are expected in late 2026, with full analysis published in 2027.

APTA members can explore current value-based payment models and collaborate with peers in the APTA Alternative Payment Model Forum within the APTA Community.