Congress Eyes Expansion of Hospital at Home Care Model

A new bill in Congress proposes a pilot program to assess the expansion of the Hospital at Home care model to broader patient populations beyond acute care. Supported by Senators Marco Rubio and Tom Carper, the At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation (HOME) Services Act aims to extend the strategy beyond the current Medicare waiver expiration in 2024. The model involves home-based care management with frequent care team visits, virtual services, and remote monitoring. Advocates argue for its permanence, citing positive outcomes and urging Congress and CMS to support continued reimbursement. New Jersey's recent legislation also enables expansion of the program, potentially serving as a national model.