- Reps. Adrian Smith and Debbie Dingell introduced a new bill that would attempt to lower Medicare spending by moving more hospital care into the home. The legislation would create a new Medicare benefit allowing certain beneficiaries not eligible for Medicaid to have a home health worker for up to 12 hours a week. It would facilitate house calls by allowing doctors to receive a monthly payment in place of the existing fee-for-service structure. And it would broaden reimbursement for home-based services, including dialysis, lab tests, and infusions. The bill has drawn support from tech companies, insurers, venture capitalists, providers, and telehealth advocates, but some health economists are skeptical that at-home care can deliver the savings the proponents are promising. (Article here)
April 24, 2023
Payers | Tea Leaves