To establish a new pilot program that would test coverage of outpatient observation services furnished outside a hospital under the Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · February 7, 2024
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
This bill establishes a pilot program to expand Medicare's existing Acute Hospital Care at Home initiative to include outpatient observation services that patients can receive at home rather than in a hospital setting. The program would allow hospitals to furnish medical observation and evaluation services to patients in their homes, subject to requirements set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The pilot must be established within one year of the bill's enactment, and participating hospitals must comply with all Medicare conditions of participation related to quality and safety standards. The legislation does not specify dedicated funding for the pilot, relying instead on existing Medicare structures and CMS administration. This change could provide patients with more convenient care options while potentially reducing hospital costs, though the bill limits how much flexibility the Secretary has in waiving standard hospital participation requirements.
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