Medicare Home Observation Program: Testing Hospital Care at Home for 2 Years.
This law establishes a two-year demonstration program under Medicare, allowing hospitals to provide outpatient observation services directly in the homes of eligible beneficiaries. The goal is to test if home care is as safe and effective as hospital care, while maintaining the same standard of treatment. This program offers seniors greater flexibility and comfort by potentially avoiding unnecessary facility stays.
Key points
Establishes a 2-year pilot program enabling hospitals to provide medical observation services to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes.
Participating hospitals must ensure the standard of care provided at home is identical to the standard of care provided in the hospital.
The program uses flexible rules (e.g., regarding telehealth and staffing) previously applied during the pandemic to enable safe treatment outside the facility.
Requires a study comparing the quality, safety, costs, and outcomes of home treatment versus traditional hospital care.
Expired
Citizen Poll