New Bill to Expand Home Health Services

New legislation (S 3613, HR 7114) introduced Sept. 26 by Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) addresses the rising toll of health care costs and the nation’s expanding elderly population. People with chronic conditions account for 76 percent of all hospital admissions, 88 percent of all prescriptions filled, and 72 percent of physician visits, according to the proposed legislation.

Through a three-year demonstration, the Independence at Home Act of 2008 seeks to provide Medicare beneficiaries suffering from multiple chronic conditions access to more affordable at-home services under a plan of care developed by a physician or nurse practitioner.

If passed as is, the demonstration would be conducted in 13 high-cost states, 13 regionally representative states, plus the District of Columbia. During the demonstration, an independent contractor would report on quality improvement measures, beneficiary, caregiver and provider satisfaction levels, health outcomes, and cost savings.

Providers would be required to demonstrate a savings of at least 5 percent annually, compared to the cost of serving non-participating Medicare beneficiaries for chronic health care. In return, providers would keep 80 percent of the savings as incentive payment.

Related posts:

1. Bailout Could Undermine Health Reform
2. Medical Home Demonstration an Attempt for Reform
3. GAO: CMS Must Contain Home Health Spending
4. HHS: $81.7 Million to Expand Services
5. Bill Aims to Protect Californians’ Health Coverage

3 Responses to “New Bill to Expand Home Health Services”

1. MARILYN MARTELL Says:
   October 15th, 2008 at 2:06 pm

   This would be great for the vast area that we live in. What would be the plan of care development requirements? Are there policies in place or do they also have to be developed? Would this include the state of Montana? We are usually short of providers and it is usually our PHN’s that go do home visits.

2. Toni Henkemeyer Says:
   October 16th, 2008 at 6:36 am

   This program sounds interesting. Is Michigan considered a high cost state?

3. Margie Reilly Says:
   October 17th, 2008 at 11:42 am

   Is Texas considered a high cost state?

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