Hospital at Home / en Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:20:43 -0500 Tue, 29 Jul 25 06:15:00 -0500 How 4 Providers Successfully Launched Hospital-at-Home Programs /aha-center-health-innovation-market-scan/2025-07-29-how-4-providers-successfully-launched-hospital-home-programs <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/How-4-Providers-Successfully-Launched-Hospital-at-Home-Programs.png" data-entity-uuid="39b44c89-49ec-4344-a777-d762def894df" data-entity-type="file" alt="How 4 Providers Successfully Launched Hospital-at-Home Programs. The gloved hand of a clinician holds up a home with a large heart on the front of it below a window." width="620" height="381"><p>As the U.S. health care system faces rising capacity constraints and challenges in care access, hospital-at-home and telehealth programs have emerged as powerful tools for delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care beyond hospital walls.</p><p>Clinical and administrative leaders across the country shared how their organizations are scaling these solutions during the 2025 şÚÁĎŐýÄÜÁż Association Leadership Summit last week. They shared how they are improving outcomes, reducing readmissions and eliminating disparities.</p><h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Advocate-Health.png" data-entity-uuid="72a51778-3fd0-4e58-830a-f728fc93b55c" data-entity-type="file" alt="Advocate Health labcoat with stethoscope and health record clipboard." width="468" height="650" class="align-left">Advocate Health: <span>Rapid HaH Launch</span></h2><p>Advocate Health, for example, rapidly launched its <a href="https://homehealthcarenews.com/2020/11/atrium-health-boosts-capacity-with-virtual-hospital-at-home-model/" target="_blank" title="Home Care Health News: Atrium Health Boosts Capacity with Virtual Hospital-at-Home Model">Hospital at Home (HaH) program</a> at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — a 10-day sprint from concept to first admission. Since then, <a href="https://www.advocatehealth.com/health-services/advocate-health-at-home" target="_blank" title="Advocate Health Care: Advocate Health at Home">the program</a> has expanded to 12 facilities across two metropolitan areas, serving more than 16,500 patients and avoiding more than 60,000 inpatient bed days, said Daniel E. Davis, M.D., senior medical director of continuing health at the Charlotte, N.C., site.</p><p>The hybrid model combines twice-daily in-home visits from nurses or paramedics with daily virtual provider check-ins, remote monitoring, access to lab services, specialty consults and pharmacy support.</p><p>The result: hospital-grade care delivered in the comfort of home, with better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. Advocate’s 2024 readmission rate for HaH patients was 0.93, outperforming traditional hospital settings (1.09), and patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher than that of brick-and-mortar hospitals.</p><p>Advocate’s program is payer-agnostic — focused not on insurance coverage, but on clinical appropriateness.</p><p>“When you look at total value, the ROI is clear,” Davis said. “You create capacity, reduce readmissions and have almost zero utilization of skilled nursing facilities. You’re creating a safe place for patients to land in the continuum of care.”</p><h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mass-General-Brigham.png" data-entity-uuid="9400f1ce-8a27-420d-9e33-99d911b7471d" data-entity-type="file" alt="Mass General Brigham hospital building." width="468" height="650" class="align-left">Mass General Brigham: <span>Outscoring Apple on Satisfaction</span></h2><p>Mass General Brigham (MGB) likewise has built one of the nation’s largest home hospital programs, unified across five hospitals and serving more than 80% of eligible patients in its service area. Heather O’Sullivan, R.N., president of <a href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/patient-care/services-and-specialties/healthcare-at-home" target="_blank" title="Mass General Brigham: Healthcare at Home">Healthcare at Home</a>, emphasized MGB’s conviction that home is the best site of care whenever possible — not just for comfort, but for quality and equitable health outcomes.</p><p>A randomized controlled trial of its program found a 7% 30-day readmission rate vs. 23% for inpatient care, with zero inappropriate medication errors and fewer safety events.</p><p>Patients in the MGB program benefit from a full spectrum of clinical and ancillary services, from remote monitoring and 24/7 command center support to in-home labs, X-rays, physical therapy and medically tailored meal delivery. “Our Net Promoter Score is higher than Apple, and we’re very proud of that,” O’Sullivan said. Patients report better rest, more personalized care and higher levels of trust.</p><p>MGB also provides fair and just access to care by adapting its care model to support unhoused patients. In partnership with the New England Center and Home for Veterans, MGB began providing hospital-level care on-site at a <a href="https://homehealthcarenews.com/2024/11/mass-general-brigham-home-hospital-program-brings-acute-care-to-homeless-veterans/" target="_blank" title="Home Health Care News: Mass General Brigham Home Hospital Program Brings Acute Care To Homeless Veterans ">VA Safe Haven residence</a> for veterans experiencing homelessness. The initiative reflects the session’s theme of addressing structural barriers to care and expanding home hospital access to all populations.</p><h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/OSU-Wexner-Medical-Center.png" data-entity-uuid="827eaf8a-0eb9-4c8a-b6bd-34546beeb920" data-entity-type="file" alt="OSU Wexner Medical Center hospital building." width="468" height="650" class="align-left">OSU Wexner Medical Center: <span>Reaching Patients Where They Are</span></h2><p>The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has seen similar success with its <a href="https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/mediaroom/pressreleaselisting/hospital-care-at-home" target="_blank" title="The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center: Ohio State Hospital Care at Home provides hospital-level care in the comfort of patients' homes">Hospital Care at Home (HCaH) model</a>, launched in 2023. The program serves patients in disadvantaged neighborhoods using a hybrid insource/outsource model, and has enrolled more than 500 patients to date.</p><p>Rachit Thariani, chief administrative officer of post-acute and <a href="http://wexnermedical.osu.edu/post-acute-and-home-care-services/home-based-care-services" target="_blank" title="The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center: Home-Based Care Services">home-based care</a>, said patients enrolled in HCaH had significantly lower 30-day readmission rates — just 6.5% in FY2024 and 9.2% in FY2025 — compared with more than 15% among those who declined participation. Importantly, HCaH patients reported overwhelming satisfaction, with 95% rating their experience a 9 or 10 out of 10.</p><h2><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Iris-Telehealth.png" data-entity-uuid="0f87a59c-3b8a-4600-b7bb-479b75226fc0" data-entity-type="file" alt="Iris Telehealth. A brain that is half biological and half mechanical. A digital hand shaking a human hand." width="468" height="650" class="align-left">Iris Telehealth: <span>Improving Patient and Provider Satisfaction</span></h2><p>In tandem with hospital-at-home programs, behavioral telehealth is transforming access to mental health care. Tom Milam, M.D., chief medical officer of <a href="https://iristelehealth.com/" target="_blank" title="Iris Telehealth homepage">Iris Telehealth</a> and president of Iris Medical Group, shared how the company supports systems across the care continuum — from emergency departments (EDs) and inpatient units to outpatient therapy and primary care — with on-demand and scheduled virtual behavioral health services.</p><p>Telehealth has helped organizations reduce psychiatric ED consult times by more than 60%, lower inpatient length of stay and improve depression symptoms by 38%. In one example, Texas Health Resources saw a 60% reduction in wait times from referral to first visit, with 18,000 visits delivered in the program’s first year.</p><p>Milam noted that Iris’ integrated telehealth solutions — supported by a <a href="https://iristelehealth.com/services/" target="_blank" title="Iris Telehealth: Behavioral Health Services">behavioral health command center</a>, risk scoring and revenue cycle analytics — allow health systems to scale behavioral care delivery efficiently while enhancing both patient and provider satisfaction.</p><p>All four speakers emphasized that the future of health care lies in scalable, tech-enabled, home-based solutions that close gaps in access to care.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="sticky"><p><a href="/center" title="Visit the AHA Center for Health Innovation landing page."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/logo-aha-innovation-center-color-sm.jpg" data-entity-uuid="7ade6b12-de98-4d0b-965f-a7c99d9463c5" alt="AHA Center for Health Innovation logo" width="721" height="130" data-entity- type="file" class="align-center"></a></p><p><a href="/center/form/innovation-subscription"><img src="/sites/default/files/2019-04/Market_Scan_Call_Out_360x300.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type alt width="360" height="300"></a></p></div></div></div></div>.field_featured_image { position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } .featured-image{ position: absolute; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0 0 0 0); height: 1px; width: 1px; margin: -1px; padding: 0; border: 0; } h2 { color: #9d2235; } div.sticky { position: sticky; top: 0; } Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:15:00 -0500 Hospital at Home TAKE ACTION: Engage Lawmakers in August to Build Support for Key Priorities /action-alert/2025-07-28-take-action-engage-lawmakers-august-build-support-key-priorities <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The House of Representatives has left Washington, D.C., for its August district work period, and senators could return to their states as early as next week. It is important to engage with your lawmakers while they are home and discuss the impact that the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act and additional policy proposals that are under consideration will have on hospitals’ ability to provide care.</p><p>Funding for the federal government, including certain important health care programs, is set to expire Oct. 1. Congress must pass all 12 appropriations bills by Sept. 30 to fund the federal government for the next fiscal year. If lawmakers fail to meet that deadline, they will need to enact a continuing resolution temporarily extending current funding levels to avoid a government shutdown. However, these health care programs including Low-volume Adjustment and Medicare-Dependent Hospital, telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers — as well as prolonging Medicaid DSH cuts from going into effect — are not guaranteed to be extended. Additionally, Congress needs to act before the end of the year to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. Meanwhile, some legislators are discussing another reconciliation package on deficit reduction efforts. Those efforts could include additional Medicaid and Medicare cuts. It is important that your legislators understand hospitals and health systems cannot sustain any additional cuts, especially as we are facing the implementation of Medicaid cuts in the <a href="/advisory/2025-07-18-detailed-summary-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-obbba-public-law-no-119-21">OBBBA</a>.</p><p>While your lawmakers are home next month, please make plans to visit them in their offices, speak with them at a community event or invite them to your hospital to show them the importance of supporting policies that allow hospitals to provide care to their communities. And share with them the impact that funding reductions would have on your ability to provide services and care for the people they represent.</p><p>The following are some of the top priority issues and resources that can assist you and your team in conversations with your lawmakers.</p><h2>Advocacy Priorities</h2><ul><li><strong>Extend the </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-enhanced-premium-tax-credits"><strong>Enhanced Premium Tax Credits</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits help individuals and families purchase insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplaces. Policies enabling these credits will expire at the end of 2025. Urge your members of Congress to extend the enhanced premium tax credits that enable millions of people to have health care coverage.</li><li><strong>Reject </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals"><strong>Site-neutral Payments</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Site-neutral payments would compensate hospital outpatient departments the same as independent physician offices and other ambulatory sites of care, ignoring the very different level of care provided by hospitals and the needs of the patients and communities cared for in that setting. Ask your members of Congress to reject efforts to enact additional site-neutral payments proposals.</li><li><strong>Protect the </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-340b-drug-pricing-program"><strong>340B Drug Pricing Program</strong></a><strong>.</strong> Hospitals depend on the 340B program to manage rising prescription drug costs and expand access to care for patients. Ask your members of Congress to oppose any harmful changes to the 340B program.</li><li><strong>Extend </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-telehealth"><strong>Telehealth</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2024-08-06-fact-sheet-extending-hospital-home-program"><strong>Hospital-at-home</strong></a><strong> Programs.</strong> These programs enable providers to care for patients at home, without having to make long drives to a facility. These programs are set to expire Sept. 30. Urge your lawmakers to extend these programs so providers can ensure continuity of care.</li><li><strong>Prevent </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/medicaid-dsh-payment-cuts"><strong>Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital</strong></a><strong> Cuts.</strong> The Medicaid DSH program provides essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations, including children and those who are disabled and elderly. The Medicaid DSH cut for fiscal year 2026 is $8 billion and will go into effect on Oct. 1 unless Congress acts. Urge your lawmakers to provide relief from the Medicaid DSH cuts given the vital need for the program.</li><li><strong>Extend the </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2024-10-31-advocacy-issue-rural-mdh-and-lva-programs"><strong>Low-volume Adjustment and Medicare-dependent Hospital</strong></a><strong> Programs.</strong> The enhanced low-volume adjustment and Medicare-dependent hospital programs provide rural, geographically isolated and low-volume hospitals additional financial support to ensure rural residents have access to care. Without action from Congress, the enhanced LVA and MDH programs will expire Sept. 30. Urge your lawmakers to extend these vital programs.</li><li><strong>Protect </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2023-04-19-fact-sheet-workplace-violence-and-intimidation-and-need-federal-legislative-response"><strong>Health Care Workers</strong></a><strong> from Violence.</strong> The Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R. 3178/S. 1600) is bipartisan legislation (that would make it a federal crime to assault a hospital staff member on the job. Urge your lawmakers to support this legislation.</li></ul><h2>AHA Resources</h2><p>Your voice is extremely important and your legislators listen to you. Be ready to tell your hospital’s story. Prepare for a successful encounter with these <a href="/advocacy/2023-03-07-advocacy-tips-and-best-practices">tips and best practices</a> for meeting with lawmakers and hosting them at your hospital. Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for information and resources to assist you in your advocacy.</p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at <a href="tel:1-800-424-4301">800-424-4301</a>.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/07/Action-Alert-TAKE-ACTION-Engage-Lawmakers-in-August-to-Build-Support-for-Key-Priorities.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert: TAKE ACTION: Engage Lawmakers in August to Build Support for Key Priorities"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Action-Alert-TAKE-ACTION-Engage-Lawmakers-in-August-to-Build-Support-for-Key-Priorities.png" data-entity-uuid="f8d7fe18-60fc-49cc-9704-cacdc239ac3a" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: TAKE ACTION: Engage Lawmakers in August to Build Support for Key Priorities page 1." width="695" height="900"></a></div></div></div> Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:43:12 -0500 Hospital at Home Chair File: The OBBBA and What’s Next for Health Care /news/chairpersons-file/2025-07-28-chair-file-obbba-and-whats-next-health-care <p>The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring big changes to health care. AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack joined me for a Leadership Dialogue conversation earlier this month to talk about the key provisions that apply to health care. If you missed that episode, you can <a href="/news/chairpersons-file/2025-07-16-chair-file-leadership-dialogue-continuing-work-strengthen-health-america-aha-president-and">watch the video or listen to the podcast</a>.</p><p>Our health care field, supported by patch after patch since 1965, is not sustainable for today’s world of 2025. Some of the patches that we needed to keep going are gone, and it’s unrealistic to think they’re coming back. This time doesn’t just feel different, it is different. So what should we be focused on as hospitals and health systems?</p><p>First, we have to accept reality and make the smartest choices we can with the resources and constraints we have to maximize our delivery on our mission. The AHA has already begun some of this work and will be assisting hospitals to help individuals retain eligibility for coverage, as well as sharing best practices for improvements and operational efficiencies. We also are looking ahead at several hospital priorities that will need to be addressed before the end of the year — from waivers for telehealth and hospital at home, Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts, the Medicare rule making process, regulatory relief and more. Now more than ever, we are here to help you do what you do best: care for our communities.</p><p>While the AHA is pulling all the levers in Washington, D.C., to advocate for priorities that advance health, all of us have an important role to play in engaging our legislators. There’s nothing more powerful than hearing from you, their constituents, about the impact certain policies will have on the people they represent. You can find resources and more information on how to best do this below.</p><p>Our second, and most important, job is to actually reform and transform health care for the long term. We need to do the hard work and create a health care model that is sustainable for the world of 2065, not 1965. We have to start putting proposals on the table that challenge the status quo yet move us forward.</p><p>At the AHA Leadership Summit in Nashville last week, I heard so many incredible stories of how you have started this work. As a field, we are using technology and innovation to transform care delivery, improve quality and patient safety, and meet people where they need care. And that is what makes me hopeful and optimistic.</p><p>We’ve been dealt a difficult hand, but it’s our opportunity to open the door wide for transformation and innovation. We owe it to ourselves, our team members, our patients and our communities to make the very best choices we can today — and to transform our health care system for tomorrow.</p><h2>Helping You Help Communities — Key AHA Resources</h2><ul><li><a href="/resources-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-signed-law-july-4-2025">Advocacy Resources on OBBBA</a></li><li><a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a></li><li><a href="/advocacy-issues">Key Advocacy Issues and Resources</a></li><li><a href="/advocacy/working-with-congress">Guide to Working with Congress</a></li></ul> Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:16:20 -0500 Hospital at Home Fact Sheet: Extending the Hospital-at-Home Program /fact-sheets/2024-08-06-fact-sheet-extending-hospital-home-program <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><h2>The Issue</h2><p>The hospital-at-home (H@H) model — where patients receive acute level care in their homes, rather than in a hospital — has emerged as an innovative and promising approach to provide high quality care to patients in the comfort of their homes. Since the start of the program, Congress has extended it three times: first in 2022 (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023) for two years, then again in 2024 (H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act) for 90 days, and most recently in 2025 (H.R. 1968, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act) for six months. These extensions received no score from the Congressional Budget Office. Congressional action is needed to extend the waivers for this program, which are now set to expire Sept. 30, 2025.</p><h2>AHA Take</h2><p>The AHA supports the <strong>Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (H.R. 4313 / S.2237)</strong> introduced in the House by Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., Lloyd Smucker, R-P., and Dwight Evans, D-Pa., and in the Senate by Sens. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. The bill extends the H@H waiver for five years through the end of 2030 and directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to conduct a new study of the program.</p><p>Hospitals and health systems see H@H programs as a safe and innovative way to care for patients in the comfort of their homes. This kind of care is well suited for medium acuity patients who need hospital-level care but are considered stable enough to be safely monitored from home. Rather than staying three days or longer in the hospital, these patients can be treated safely by their doctor and a team of medical professionals along with the patient’s support system at home.</p><p>A long-term extension of the H@H waiver will not only provide additional time to continue gathering data on quality improvement, cost savings, and patient experience, but will also provide much-needed stability for new programs and may ease state concerns about updating Medicaid policies to cover these services.</p><h2>Background</h2><p>To receive approval to participate in the H@H program, hospitals must submit an individual waiver request to CMS. The request specifically asks CMS to waive §422.23(b) and (b)(1) of the Medicare Conditions of Participation, which require nursing services to be provided on premises 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as the immediate availability of a registered nurse for the care of any patient. Once the waiver request is received, CMS divides the applications into two categories, allowing more-experienced hospitals a quicker approval process so they can rapidly expand their H@H program; less-experienced hospitals must demonstrate they can meet the requirements associated with the provision of H@H services.</p><p>As of July 2025, 400 hospitals across 142 systems and 39 states have been approved to provide H@H services to patients. Other health systems and hospitals have indicated they are interested in standing up H@H programs but are hesitant to do so without a long-term extension from Congress.</p><p>In October 2024, CMS released a report adding to the growing body of literature demonstrating that H@H is a safe, effective program. CMS found that H@H patients generally had lower mortality rates, readmission rates and spending in the 30 days post-discharge. Patients and caregivers also expressed predominantly positive experiences with the program. While the report found that H@H patients were more likely to be white and live in an urban location and less likely to receive Medicaid or low-income subsidies, this can in part be attributed to the variability in state Medicaid coverage of H@H programs. As of June 2024, only 12 states provide Medicaid coverage for H@H.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/Fact-Sheet-Extending-the-Hospital-at-Home-Program-20240719.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/2025-04/fact-sheet-extending-the-hospital-at-home-program-april-2025.png" data-entity-uuid data-entity-type="file" alt="Fact Sheet Image" width="682" height="882"></a><p> </p></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="external-link spacer"><a class="btn btn-wide btn-primary" href="/system/files/media/file/2024/08/understanding-the-hospital-at-home-program-infographic.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Infographic: Understanding the Hospital At Home Program PDF.">Download the Infographic PDF</a></div><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/08/understanding-the-hospital-at-home-program-infographic.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Infographic: Understanding the Hospital At Home Program PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Infographic-Understanding-the-Hospital-at-Home-Program.png" data-entity-uuid="ebd70ee9-b007-40de-8c11-c2330a37ff3b" data-entity-type="file" alt="Infographic: Understanding the Hospital at Home Program." width="582" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div> h2 { color:#003087; } Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:00:00 -0500 Hospital at Home Idaho’s First Hospital-at-Home Program Showing Promising Results /role-hospitals-st-lukes-regional-medical-center-idahos-first-hospital-home-program-showing-promising-results <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-9"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-6"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/TTHS-St-Lukes-Regional-Medical-Center-Hospital-at-Home.jpg" data-entity-uuid="870e9f8a-ba45-4d6b-b28f-0d2f38f63a58" data-entity-type="file" alt="Idaho’s First Hospital-at-Home Program Showing Promising Results. A paramedic listens to a women's heartbeat using a stethoscope as part of hospital-at-home care in Idaho." width="700" height="532"></div><p>The St. Luke’s Hospital at Home program, launched in late 2024, provides hospital-level care to patients in the comfort of their homes. This initiative is especially timely given Idaho's rapid population growth, which has increased the demand for health care services. The program allows patients with conditions such as heart failure, infections requiring IV antibiotics, pneumonia or asthma to receive necessary treatments at home, reducing the strain on emergency departments.</p><p>Patients in the program are equipped with medical devices like scales, tablets, blood pressure monitors and IV pumps. Paramedics visit patients twice daily and are connected to doctors and nurses through a tablet, ensuring continuous care. This setup not only provides medical support but also allows health care providers to understand the patient's living environment and involve social work if needed, enhancing overall care</p><p>The program is supported by Medically Home and offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional hospital stays. St. Luke’s is the first hospital in Idaho to start the program, which has been around since the 1960s. “We have a type of care that is very comparable to the outcomes of a brick-and-mortar hospital,” said the program’s Medical Director Adam Balinger.</p><p>It also provides a healing environment where patients can be with their families and pets, which can aid in recovery. With Medicare authorizing billing for hospital care at home since 2021, programs like St. Luke’s Hospital at Home are becoming more viable and beneficial, especially during times when hospitals are overwhelmed, such as during the pandemic.</p><p><a class="btn btn-primary" href="https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/hospital-care-at-home-st-lukes-launches-hospital-at-home-program/article_e740f5ca-ea40-11ef-94d8-bbde4c8e5aba.html" target="_blank">LEARN MORE</a></p></div></div><div class="col-md-3"><div><h4>Resources on the Role of Hospitals</h4><ul><li><a href="/topics/promoting-healthy-communities">Supporting Public Health</a></li><li><a href="/roleofhospitals">All Case Studies</a></li></ul></div></div></div></div> Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:19:29 -0500 Hospital at Home Contact Your Lawmakers and Urge Them to Extend Key Health Care Policies Set to Expire Next Month /action-alert/2025-02-07-contact-your-lawmakers-and-urge-them-extend-key-health-care-policies-set-expire-next-month <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>In December, Congress passed a legislative package to fund the government through March 14 and extend key health care provisions through the end of March. Congressional action is needed once again to fund the government and ensure long-term stability for these critical health care programs. At the same time, House and Senate Republicans are planning a strategy to use the budget reconciliation process to accomplish some of their legislative priorities, and Congress must raise the debt ceiling in the coming months. As part of these strategies, they are considering proposals that would reduce funding for hospital care, including reductions to the Medicaid program, jeopardizing access to the 24/7 care and services that hospitals provide.</p><h2>Action Needed</h2><p><strong>Please ask your senators and representatives to prevent Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payment cuts from taking effect; extend enhanced low-volume adjustment and Medicare-dependent hospital programs that expand access to care in rural areas; and extend telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers. These policies are currently set to expire at the end of March and must be extended.</strong></p><p><strong>In your discussions with your legislators, please continue to share the valuable role your hospital or health system plays in the community they represent and urge them to reject cuts that would jeopardize access to hospital care and services that patients rely on.</strong></p><p>More details and resources to support your advocacy efforts on these important issues follow.</p><h2>Health Care Extenders</h2><p>Congress passed a legislative package in December that extended some key health care provisions through the end of March, but additional congressional action is needed.</p><ul><li><strong>Prevent Medicaid DSH Cuts.</strong> The Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program provides essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations — children, the impoverished, disabled and elderly. Without congressional action, billions in cuts would take effect April 1. <strong>See the </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2020/02/fact-sheet-medicaid-dsh-0120.pdf"><strong>Medicaid DSH fact sheet</strong></a><strong> for more details.</strong></li><li><strong>Extend Key Rural Programs.</strong> The enhanced low-volume adjustment and Medicare-dependent hospital programs provide rural, geographically isolated and low-volume hospitals additional financial support to ensure rural residents have access to care. Without congressional action, these programs will expire on April 1. <strong>See the </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2022-08-30-fact-sheet-rural-hospital-support-act-s4009-assistance-rural-community"><strong>rural programs fact sheet</strong></a><strong> for more details.</strong></li><li><strong>Extend Telehealth and Hospital-at-Home Waivers.</strong> Congress has extended telehealth waivers and the hospital-at-home program through March 31, but additional action is needed. See the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2024-10-31-advocacy-issue-telehealth-waivers">telehealth</a> and <a href="/fact-sheets/2024-08-06-fact-sheet-extending-hospital-home-program">hospital-at-home fact sheets</a> for more details.</li></ul><h2>Critical Issues for the 119th Congress</h2><p>Following our Feb. 5 advocacy update webinar for members, we are providing new fact sheets and primers on emerging issues of significant importance for hospitals and health systems. We will be providing updates, new resources and data on these and other issues to help your advocacy efforts throughout the year.</p><h3>Reject Cuts to Medicaid</h3><p>Republican leaders continue to have discussions about how to use reconciliation — a <a href="/issue-landing-page/2025-02-07-budget-reconciliation-process-resource-page">budget tool</a> that gives Congress a fast-track mechanism to avoid the Senate filibuster and pass legislation with a simple majority. House and Senate Republicans are expected to use the budget reconciliation process to try to pass key agenda items on taxes, energy and border security, and they may look to health program funding as a way to pay for this legislation. <strong>Such proposals could significantly reduce federal spending for the Medicaid program. Even a small portion of possible reductions could have wide-ranging negative consequences for the health and well-being of both Medicaid enrollees and the broader health care system.</strong></p><p>The AHA has developed a number of resources hospitals and health systems can use as part of their advocacy efforts, including the following:</p><ul><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid">General Fact Sheet on Medicaid</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid-provider-taxes">Fact Sheet on Medicaid Provider Taxes</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-medicaid-hospital-payment-basics">Fact Sheet on Medicaid Hospital Payment Basics</a></li><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-capita-caps-medicaid-program">Medicaid Per Capita Caps</a></li></ul><h3>Extend Enhanced Premium Tax Credits</h3><p>The federal government offers enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs) to help eligible individuals and families purchase coverage on the health insurance marketplaces. These policies are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. <strong>Congress should extend the EPTCs before the end of the year</strong> as they have increased access to health care coverage and high-quality care for patients and communities served by hospitals, health systems and other providers. <strong>Download the AHA fact sheet, which includes new data on the negative impact of not extending the </strong><a href="/fact-sheets/2025-02-07-fact-sheet-enhanced-premium-tax-credits"><strong>EPTCs</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Reject Site-neutral Payment Cuts</h3><p>Congress is considering several bills that would impose billions in Medicare site-neutral payment reductions for services provided in hospital outpatient departments. <strong>Congress should reject site-neutral proposals</strong> because they would reduce patient access to vital health care services, particularly in rural and other medically underserved communities. <strong>See AHA resources on the detrimental impact of </strong><a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals"><strong>site-neutral policies</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h3>Protect the 340B Drug Pricing Program</h3><p>For more than 30 years, the 340B Drug Pricing Program has provided financial help to hospitals serving vulnerable communities to manage rising prescription drug costs. However, some in Congress and the pharmaceutical industry want to see the program scaled back. <strong>Congress should protect the 340B program</strong> for all providers and ensure the program continues to help stretch limited resources and provide more comprehensive services to more patients. <strong>Download the AHA fact sheets on the </strong><a href="/340b-drug-savings-program"><strong>340B program</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems. Watch for more Action Alerts and resources from the AHA to assist your advocacy efforts. If you have further questions, please contact AHA at 800-424-4301.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><a href="/system/files/media/file/2025/02/Contact-Your-Lawmakers-and-Urge-Them-to-Extend-Key-Health-Care-Policies-Set-to-Expire-Next-Month.pdf" target="_blank" title="Click here to download the Action Alert ACTION NEEDED: Contact Your Lawmakers and Urge Them to Extend Key Health Care Policies Set to Expire Next Month PDF."><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Page-1-Contact-Your-Lawmakers-and-Urge-Them-to-Extend-Key-Health-Care-Policies-Set-to-Expire-Next-Month.png" data-entity-uuid="2dd3d759-0b56-4a54-8cdb-d635ee169360" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert: ACTION NEEDED: Contact Your Lawmakers and Urge Them to Extend Key Health Care Policies Set to Expire Next Month page 1." width="696" height="900"></a></p></div></div></div> Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:04:02 -0600 Hospital at Home Congress Passes Bill Funding Government at Current Levels into March, Extending Key Health Care Provisions to Expire /special-bulletin/2024-12-21-congress-passes-bill-funding-government-current-levels-march-extending-key-health-care-provisions <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>The House by a vote of 366-34 Dec. 20 passed the American Relief Act <a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/ARA%2012.20.pdf">(H.R. 10545)</a>, a bill to fund the government through March 14, 2025, provide disaster relief and farm aid, and extend for three months a number of critical programs for hospitals and health systems. The Senate early Dec. 21 passed the bill on an 85-11 vote. </p><div class="panel module-typeC"><div class="panel-heading"><h2>Key Highlights</h2><p>The bill contains provisions: </p><ul><li>Preventing cuts in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments.</li><li>Extending critical rural Medicare programs.</li><li>Extending telehealth and hospital-at-home programs</li></ul></div></div><h2>AHA TAKE</h2><p>The AHA appreciates the bipartisan effort to fund the government and extend these critical health care policies for three months to support hospitals’ efforts to care for patients and communities. We thank Congress for their support and look forward to our continued work to ensure hospitals and health systems have the resources they need to advance health for patients and communities. </p><h2>MEDICAID AND MEDICARE </h2><p><strong>Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Relief. </strong>The bill eliminates the Medicaid DSH cuts through April 1, 2025.   </p><p><strong>Medicare Rural Extenders. </strong>The bill will extend the enhanced low-volume adjustment and the Medicare-dependent hospital programs through April 1, 2025. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024<strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Medicare Telehealth and Hospital-at-home Extensions. </strong>The bill will extend key telehealth waivers and the hospital-at-home program through March 31, 2025. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024<strong>.</strong> </p><p><strong>Extension of the Work Geographic Index Floor under the Medicare Program. </strong>The bill will extend a 1.0 floor on the work Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) through April 1, 2025. This was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2024. </p><p><strong>Medicare Rural Ambulance.</strong> The bill will extend add-on payments for ambulance services through March 31, 2025. These add-on payments support rural, “superrural,” and urban ambulance services. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024. </p><h2>OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST </h2><p><strong>PAYGO Sequester. </strong>Under PAYGO requirements, Congress must pay for any legislative package, either by reducing entitlement spending or increasing revenue. The legislation would waive PAYGO reductions by “wiping the scorecard clean,” preventing a 4% Medicare sequester cut from taking effect in January. </p><p><strong>Disaster Relief. </strong>The bill provides $29 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund. <strong> </strong></p><h2>OFFSETS</h2><p>The health care portion of the bill includes the following offset. </p><p><strong>Medicare Improvement Fund. </strong>The bill reduces the amount of funding in the Medicare Improvement Fund from $3.197 billion to $1.241 billion. </p><h2>FURTHER QUESTIONS</h2><p>If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at 800-424-4301.</p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/12/congress-passes-bill-funding-government-current-levels-to-march-extending-key-health-care-provisions-bulletin-12-21-2024.pdf" target="_blank" title="Special Bulletin PDF"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/cover-congress-passes-bill-funding-government-current-levels-to-march-extending-key-health-care-provisions-bulletin-12-21-2024..png" data-entity-uuid="48d278a2-1930-4eb3-93be-3a57b8fbcbd7" data-entity-type="file" alt="Special Bulletin Cover Image" width="679" height="878"></a></div></div></div> Sat, 21 Dec 2024 09:54:45 -0600 Hospital at Home House Passes Bill Funding Government at Current Levels into March, Extending Key Health Care Provisions Due to Expire at End of Year /special-bulletin/2024-12-21-house-passes-bill-funding-government-current-levels-march-extending-key-health-care-provisions-due <p>The House by a vote of 366-34 today passed the American Relief Act (<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/ARA%2012.20.pdf" target="_blank" title="docs.house.gov: H.R. 10545">H.R. 10545</a>), a bill to fund the government through March 14, 2025, provide disaster relief and farm aid, and extend for three months a number of critical programs for hospitals and health systems. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later tonight. In light of the overwhelming bipartisan support and signals of support from the Administration, it is highly likely the Senate will favorably consider the package. The AHA will provide updates accordingly.</p><h2>Key Highlights</h2><p>The bill contains provisions:</p><ul><li>Preventing cuts in Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital payments.</li><li>Extending critical rural Medicare programs.</li><li>Extending telehealth and hospital-at-home programs.</li></ul><h2>AHA Take</h2><p>The AHA appreciates the bipartisan effort to fund the government and extend these critical health care policies for three months to support hospitals’ efforts to care for patients and communities. We thank Congress for their support and look forward to our continued work to ensure hospitals and health systems have the resources they need to advance health for patients and communities.</p><h2>Medicaid and Medicare</h2><h3>Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Relief</h3><p>The bill eliminates the Medicaid DSH cuts through April 1, 2025.</p><h3>Medicare Rural Extenders</h3><p>The bill will extend the enhanced low-volume adjustment and the Medicare-dependent hospital programs through April 1, 2025. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h3>Medicare Telehealth and Hospital-at-home Extensions</h3><p>The bill will extend key telehealth waivers and the hospital-at-home program through March 31, 2025. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h3>Extension of the Work Geographic Index Floor under the Medicare Program</h3><p>The bill will extend a 1.0 floor on the work Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) through April 1, 2025. This was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h3>Medicare Rural Ambulance</h3><p>The bill will extend add-on payments for ambulance services through March 31, 2025. These add-on payments support rural, “super-rural,” and urban ambulance services. They were set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.</p><h2>Other Items of Interest</h2><h3>PAYGO Sequester</h3><p>Under PAYGO requirements, Congress must pay for any legislative package, either by reducing entitlement spending or increasing revenue. The legislation would waive PAYGO reductions by “wiping the scorecard clean,” preventing a 4% Medicare sequester cut from taking effect in January.</p><h3>Disaster Relief</h3><p>The bill provides $29 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Relief Fund.</p><h2>Offsets</h2><p>The health care portion of the bill includes the following offset.</p><h3>Medicare Improvement Fund</h3><p>The bill reduces the amount of funding in the Medicare Improvement Fund from $3.197 billion to $1.241 billion.</p><h2>Further Questions</h2><p>If you have further questions, please contact the AHA at <a href="tel:1-800-424-4301">800-424-4301</a>.</p> Sat, 21 Dec 2024 08:06:22 -0600 Hospital at Home AHA Asks Congressional Leadership to Fund Hospitals, Protect Health Care Workers /action-alert/2024-11-13-aha-asks-congressional-leadership-fund-hospitals-protect-health-care-workers <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><p>Following the elections, lawmakers are returning to Washington, D.C., to tackle key funding issues, including Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment reductions and support for rural programs. They also will consider site-neutral payment proposals, oversight of health plans, continuation of telehealth and hospital-at-home waivers, and the prevention of violence against health care workers.</p><p>Before the lame-duck session ends and the 118th Congress adjourns, it is essential that federal lawmakers understand the challenges hospitals and health systems face and what is at stake for the patients and communities they represent. With several programs facing expiration at the end of this year, quick action is needed to preserve necessary funding and support for the nation’s health care organizations.</p><p>Here are the issues AHA leaders are <a href="/2024-11-12-aha-urges-congress-act-key-priorities-lame-duck-session" target="_blank" title="Issues AHA Leaders are calling on Congress to reinforce">calling on congressional leaders</a> to reinforce. Following is an overview of the issues and what you can do to assist these advocacy efforts.</p><h2>SUPPORT MEDICAID DSH DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER</h2><p>At the beginning of the year, billions of dollars will be cut from the Medicaid DSH program, severely jeopardizing hospitals’ finances and threatening communities’ access to care. Contact your representative(s) and ask them to sign on to the bipartisan <a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/11/congress-dear-colleague-letter-to-stop-medicaid-disproportionate-share-hospital-dsh-payment-cuts-11-13-2024.pdf" target="_blank" title="House Dear Colleague Letter">House Dear Colleague letter</a> being circulated by Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Diana DeGette, D-Colo., calling for Medicaid DSH cuts to be addressed. <a href="https://www.votervoice.net/AHA/Campaigns/118959/Respond">Click here</a> to send a message to your representatives.</p><h2><strong>LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEEDED</strong></h2><p><strong>Address the Medicaid</strong> <strong>DSH Payment Reductions. </strong>The <a href="/fact-sheets/2023-03-28-fact-sheet-medicaid-dsh-program" target="_blank" title="Medicare DSH Program Information">Medicaid DSH program</a> provides essential financial assistance to hospitals that care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations — children, impoverished, disabled and elderly. The fiscal year 2025 Medicaid DSH payment reductions are scheduled to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2025, when $8 billion in reductions take effect. The AHA calls on Congress to continue to provide relief from the Medicaid DSH cuts.</p><p><strong>Protect Rural Communities’ Access to Care.</strong> The AHA urges Congress to continue the <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2024-10-31-advocacy-issue-rural-mdh-and-lva-programs" target="_blank" title="Medicare-dependent Hospitals and Low-volume Adjustment programs">Medicare-dependent Hospitals and Low-volume Adjustment programs</a>. These programs provide rural, geographically isolated and low-volume hospitals additional financial support to ensure rural residents have access to care. These programs expire on Dec. 31, 2024. Congress should also enact a technical correction to remove barriers for Rural Emergency Hospitals to receive hospital-level reimbursement for outpatient services under Medicaid<strong>.</strong> </p><p><strong>Reject Site-neutral Payment Proposals.</strong> The AHA strongly opposes efforts to expand <a href="/advocacy/advocacy-issues/2023-09-11-advocacy-issue-site-neutral-payment-proposals" target="_blank" title="Site-neutral payment cuts information">site-neutral payment cuts</a> to include essential drug administration services furnished in off-campus hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). Current Medicare payment rates appropriately recognize that there are fundamental differences between patient care delivered in HOPDs compared to other settings. HOPDs have higher patient safety and quality standards, and, unlike other sites of care, hospitals take important additional steps to ensure drugs are prepared and administered safely for both patients and providers. </p><p>The AHA also calls on Congress to reject legislative efforts requiring each off-campus HOPD to be assigned a separate unique health identifier from its provider as a condition of payment under Medicare or group health plans. Hospitals are already required to be transparent about the location of care delivery. This requirement would be duplicative and impose unnecessary and onerous administrative burdens and costs by needlessly requiring the overhaul of current billing practices and systems.</p><p><strong>Hold Commercial Health Plans Accountable.</strong> Certain health plan practices, such as inappropriate care denials and delayed payments, threaten patient access to care. These practices also contribute to clinician burnout and add excessive administrative costs and burdens to the health care system. The AHA urges Congress to pass the<a href="/lettercomment/2024-06-12-aha-support-house-improving-seniors-timely-access-care-act" target="_blank" title="Improving seniors timely access to care"> Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care Act</a> (H.R. 8702/ S. 4532), bipartisan legislation supported by more than half of the members of the House and Senate. The bill would streamline the prior authorization process in the Medicare Advantage program by eliminating complexity and promoting uniformity to reduce the wide variation in prior authorization methods that frustrate both patients and providers.</p><p><strong>Extend </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/05/fact-sheet-2024-telehealth-advocacy-agenda.pdf" target="_blank" title="Telehealth information"><strong>Telehealth</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/07/Fact-Sheet-Extending-the-Hospital-at-Home-Program-20240719.pdf" target="_blank" title="Hospitals-at-home information"><strong>Hospital-at-home</strong></a><strong> Waivers.</strong> During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Congress established a series of waivers expanding access for millions of Americans and increasing convenience in caring for patients. Telehealth provides a tremendous ability to leverage geographically dispersed provider capacity to support patient demand. The AHA calls on Congress to permanently adopt telehealth waivers and expand the telehealth workforce. </p><p>The AHA also urges Congress to pass the <a href="/lettercomment/2024-05-23-aha-support-house-bill-hospital-inpatient-services-modernization-act-2024" target="_blank" title="Hospitals Inpatient Services Modernization Act">Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act</a> (H.R. 8260/S. 4350), extending the hospital-at-home waiver for five years through 2029. Congressional action will reassure hospitals and health systems that are interested in developing such programs for their communities. </p><p><strong>Prevent Reimbursement Cuts for Physicians. </strong>Congress should take action to mitigate the scheduled physician reimbursement cuts for 2025 and to continue its work on broader reform for sustainable physician payment. Physicians have dealt with over two decades of conversion factor decrements, as well as significant staffing shortages and rising inflation in recent years. The scheduled 2.8% payment reduction in the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule would result in a significant risk to patients’ access to care.</p><p><strong>Protect America’s Health Care Workers.</strong> The AHA calls on Congress to enact the <a href="/system/files/media/file/2022/09/Fact-Sheet-Workplace-Violence-and-Intimidation-and-the-Need-for-a-Federal-Legislative-Response.pdf" target="_blank" title="SAVE Act information">Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act</a> (H.R. 2584/S. 2768). This bipartisan bill would provide federal protections from workplace violence for hospital workers, similar to the protections in current law for airport and airline workers.</p><h2>FURTHER QUESTIONS</h2><p>Visit the <a href="/advocacy/action-center" target="_blank" title="AHA Action Center">AHA Action Center</a> for more resources on these issues and other priorities important to hospitals and health systems.</p><p>If you have further questions, please contact AHA at 800-424-4301.<br> </p></div><div class="col-md-4"><a href="/system/files/media/file/2024/11/aha-asks-congressional-leadership-to-fund-hospitals-protect-health-care-workers-alert-11-13-2024.pdf"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/cover-aha-asks-congressional-leadership-to-fund-hospitals-protect-health-care-workers-alert-11-13-2024.png" data-entity-uuid="40f68d4b-dfe5-4e56-af78-6f8af97f13ca" data-entity-type="file" alt="Action Alert Cover Image" width="640" height="834"></a></div></div><p> </p></div> Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:05:33 -0600 Hospital at Home Advocacy Issue: Hospital-at-Home Waivers /advocacy/advocacy-issues/2024-11-01-advocacy-issue-hospital-home-waivers <div class="container"><div class="row"><div class="col-md-8"><h2><span>The Issue</span></h2><p>The hospital-at-home (H@H) model — where patients receive acute level care in their homes, rather than in a hospital — has emerged as an innovative and promising approach to provide high quality care to patients in the comfort of their homes. Since the start of the program, Congress has extended the waivers twice. First in 2022 (Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023) for two years and then again in 2024 (H.R. 10545 the American Relief Act) for 90 days. Both extensions received no score from the Congressional Budget Office. Congressional action is needed to extend the waivers for this program, which are now set to expire Sept. 30, 2025.</p><h2><span>AHA Position</span></h2><p>The AHA supports the Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act to extend the H@H waiver for five years.</p><p>Hospitals and health systems see H@H programs as a safe and innovative way to care for patients in the comfort of their homes. This kind of care is well suited for medium acuity patients who need hospital level care but are considered stable enough to be safely monitored from home. Rather than staying three days or longer in the hospital, these patients can be treated safely by their doctor and a team of medical professionals along with the patient’s support system at home.</p><p>A long-term extension will not only provide additional time to continue gathering data on quality improvement, cost savings, and patient experience, but will also provide much needed stability for new programs and may ease state concerns about updating Medicaid policies to allow for coverage of these services.</p><h2><span>Key Resources</span></h2><ul><li><a href="/fact-sheets/2024-08-06-fact-sheet-extending-hospital-home-program">Fact Sheet: Extending the Hospital-at-Home Program</a></li><li><a href="/infographics/2024-08-06-infographic-understanding-hospital-home-program">Infographic: Understanding the Hospital At Home Program</a></li><li><a href="/news/perspective/2024-10-18-taking-action-extend-telehealth-and-hospital-home-programs">Perspective: Taking Action to Extend Telehealth and Hospital-at-home Programs</a></li><li><a href="/action-needed-contact-lawmakers-important-issues-facing-hospitals-and-health-systems">ACTION NEEDED: Contact Lawmakers on Important Issues Facing Hospitals and Health Systems</a></li><li><a href="/news/headline/2024-10-01-cms-report-finds-hospital-home-program-safe-effective">CMS report finds hospital-at-home program safe, effective</a></li></ul></div><div class="col-md-4"><p><div class="views-element-container"> <section class="top-level-view js-view-dom-id-0f84e7362a68945b3627efc08ecf2f84691cbd4600e0299792e0bfc250a51885 resource-block"> <h3>Latest Hospital-at-Home Advocacy and News</h3> <div class="resource-wrapper"> <div class="resource-view"> <div class="article views-row"> <div class="views-field views-field-field-access-level"> <div class="field-content"> <div class="meta custom-lock-position"> <div class="views-field-access-level access-type-member-non-fed" data-toggle="tooltip" data-placement="bottom" title="Members only"><a 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