CMS Extends Medicare Flexibilities to Allow Hospital-At-Home
On top of the existing Medicare waivers that CMS has issued to ensure acute care capacity during the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS announced today that it will allow pre-approved hospitals to provide acute care in patients homes, covering congestive heart failure, pneumonia, COPD, and more.
Hospital-at-Home programs present a tremendous alternative for patients living with a serious illness, who are prone to complications and often decompensate after an acute care hospital admission. This new flexibility can expand the evidence base and potentially open the door for more permanent support of this valuable program.
CMS will begin by allowing six health care systems with Hospital-at-Home experience – Brigham and Womens, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Mount Sinai Health System, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, and UnityPoint Health — are already approved, and others may apply for the waiver at this online portal.