The U.S. healthcare system is grappling with the increasing demands of an aging population, and it’s becoming a pressing concern. One innovative approach to this challenge is the hospital-at-home model, which is designed to offer acute care to patients who would otherwise require hospitalization. This model aims to bring vital healthcare services into the comfort of patients’ homes, potentially transforming the way we think about medical care.
Backing this approach is a waiver that ensures reimbursement for patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid. However, there’s a looming deadline—this waiver is set to expire on December 31, which threatens the continued viability of this model across the nation.
During the pandemic, the hospital-at-home concept demonstrated significant benefits for vulnerable patients. Traditional hospitalization, while sometimes unavoidable, carries risks of complications like infections and physical decline. The hospital-at-home model provides daily visits from care teams and physicians, allowing a more personal and comprehensive understanding of a patient’s condition within the context of their everyday life.
Unfortunately, we face a critical juncture. The rapid growth of this healthcare model needs to be sustained, yet it’s at risk of stalling. The evidence suggests that hospital-at-home improves patient outcomes while reducing costs—an initiative worth nurturing. Long-term support is crucial to prevent losing the gains we’ve achieved.
Ankit Mehta, who brings expertise from the University of Minnesota Medical School and HealthPartners Medical Group, is a strong advocate for this model. Meanwhile, Chrisanne Timpe champions this approach as the medical director of home-based care delivery programs in Minnesota, including hospital-at-home care. Both professionals underscore the urgent need for legislative or regulatory actions to secure the model’s future, ensuring it remains a viable option for years to come.
As the year-end deadline approaches, the healthcare community must act decisively to maintain the progress made with hospital-at-home. This model represents a critical innovation in healthcare delivery, one that requires our steadfast support and attention.
