The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is recommending that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) extend the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCaH) program for five years and conduct a study to assess its impact on costs and care outcomes. The current waiver allowing this program is set to expire at the end of 2024, which could affect its continuation. Click here for article.
Extension Recommendation: BPC proposes extending the AHCaH program for an additional five years and conducting a study to evaluate its cost-effectiveness and impact on care quality.
Expiring Waiver: The CMS waiver that supports the AHCaH model is due to expire at the end of 2024, potentially endangering the future of home-based acute care programs.
Mixed Evidence: Initial findings suggest that the model can reduce hospital stays and costs, but more research is needed on its broader impacts, including patient experience and financial effects.
Policy Recommendations: BPC urges Congress to fund technical support for AHCaH, enhance regulatory guidance, and develop quality measures for the program, while also considering whether the model should be made permanent or modified.
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