For all the advanced technology and innovative procedures of hospital medicine, a return to the “home visit” is showing promise for improving patient satisfaction and outcomes.
Since 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have authorized nearly 400 facilities in 39 states to offer acute “hospital care at home” programs around the U.S.
“We are moving in the direction of the ‘hospital at home’ concept because it is way less complicated and delivers the same high-quality outcomes at a small fraction of the cost,” said Dr. Jeremy Wigginton, Chief Medical Officer at Capital Blue Cross. “It’s evolving. Not every health system has a program and eligibility varies from program to program. But patients need to stay informed and ask their care provider if it is an option for them.”
A recent study found that patients in hospital at home programs have lower mortality rates, lower post-discharge spending, and higher satisfaction than patients receiving in-patient care in hospitals.
While the hospital at home model was originally created in the 1990s, its recent growth came during the COVID pandemic when CMS waived normal rules that required around-the-clock care to be performed in hospitals. In 2025, Congress is expected to revisit an option to keep that waiver in place.
The Pros of At Home Care
Whether it’s to treat chronic conditions or recover after a complex surgery, the benefits of at-home care include the following:
- Faster recovery: Regular monitoring and early intervention when complications arise can reduce hospital readmissions.
- More convenient: Home healthcare programs reduce the need for frequent travel to medical facilities, saving patients from logistical headaches during their recovery time.
- Promotes independence: The familiar surroundings of home can empower patients to participate in the decision-making processes, creating a collaborative and personalized approach to care.
- Encourages family involvement: When family members play a hands-on role, it often ensures that the patient receives support beyond the clinical aspects of care.
If you quality for a hospital at home care option, it’s important to check to see if your health plan covers services. Capital Blue Cross’ standard home healthcare benefits provide medically necessary skilled care services to homebound patients, which may include treatment for the following conditions (as outlined in its member benefit booklet):
- Acute illness.
- Acute exacerbation (sudden worsening of a disease or its symptoms) of a chronic illness.
- Rehabilitative services to help a person regain, maintain, or improve skills or functioning for daily living that have been acquired but then lost or impaired due to illness, injury or disabling condition.
- Services like: Cardiac therapy, respiratory/pulmonary therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
- Medical and surgical supplies may be given to an individual by a physician, home health agency, or health care worker to treat an illness or medical condition (e.g. wound care).
Hospital At-Home: Types of Services
Hospital at home differs from traditional home healthcare. In many cases, care from hospital at home programs are more intensive but for a shorter period of time (usually five days). It involves daily visits from a doctor, nurse, or EMT with 24-hour virtual monitoring.
According to CMS data, the most common conditions treated by hospital at home programs include respiratory (36%), circulatory (16%), renal (16%), and infectious diseases (12%).
While it may vary from program to program, here are some of the services that hospital at-home provides:
- 24/7 virtual care.
- Lab tests, mobile ultrasounds and X-rays, and IV therapies.
- A care plan and schedule designed around your needs.
- Pharmacy and medicine management.
- Patient education.
