Urgent Need for Action to Safeguard Medicare Home Health Access
Growing Crisis in Medicare Home Health Access
Home health advocates are increasingly vocal about the pressing need to halt proposed Medicare cuts for the upcoming years. With a significant number of patients struggling to access essential home health services, ensuring their ongoing availability is critical for patient well-being.
The Disturbing Trends Uncovered
According to analysis insights shared by a coalition of leading home health providers, there has been a notable drop in access to home health services for patients transitioning from hospitals to their homes. This analysis, driven by comprehensive data collected from Medicare fee-for-service claims in recent years, has spelled unfortunate news for families reliant on home healthcare.
Decline in Access Statistics
The figures reveal a worrisome trend: nearly 35% of patients discharged from hospitals failed to secure home health services within a week of their discharge in 2022. This statistic serves as a clarion call to action for both healthcare providers and policymakers, as timely access to home health has been shown to significantly influence patient outcomes.
Impact on Patient Health
Patients who managed to access home health within seven days of their discharge from the hospital demonstrated markedly lower rates of readmission. Conversely, those who did not have access to these services experienced a staggering 41% higher mortality rate. Such vital information highlights the crucial role that home health services play in a patient's recovery trajectory.
Rising Referral Rejection Rates
The analysis also drew attention to an alarming increase in home health referral rejections, which surged from 49% in 2020 to 71% in 2022. This increase is concerning as it leaves many patients stuck in hospitals longer than necessary, disrupting their seamless transition back to home healthcare.
Advocates' Calls for Reforms
Home health advocates attribute these troubling declines directly to recent cuts made to the Medicare home health base rate. Joanne Cunningham, CEO of the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare, expressed her concern regarding how annual cuts are undermining the ability of home health providers to meet patient demands. Reforms are desperately needed to alleviate the strain placed on the home healthcare system.
Concerns Over Future Proposals
Looking ahead, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed additional cuts for 2025, even amid undeniable evidence indicating a decline in patient access to home health services. Advocates worry that the proposed permanent -4.067 percent payment cut for home health services could severely jeopardize the quality of care available to millions.
A Call to Action for Legislation
Cunningham's remarks emphasize an urgent plea: the data supporting declining access and adverse patient outcomes make a compelling case against implementing more cuts. Additionally, there is increased appeal for Congress to prioritize the Preserving Access to Home Health Act to prevent further jeopardizing of home health benefits.
Connecting With the Partnership
For further insights and details, the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare is dedicated to advocating for reforms enhancing the integrity, efficiency, and quality of home healthcare across the United States. They encourage interested parties to learn more about their initiatives and the ongoing efforts to improve patient care.
Contact Information
Should you have any inquiries or require additional information, the Partnership can be reached via the following contact information:
Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare
Ellen Almond
(202) 271-0234
Contact via Email
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recent analysis regarding Medicare home health access?
The analysis published by the Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare highlights a significant decline in access to home health services, with rising readmission rates and mortality among patients without timely care.
How does delayed access to home health impact patients?
Patients who do not access home health services shortly after hospital discharge are at a substantially higher risk of readmission and experience increased rates of mortality.
What are the proposed cuts for home health services in 2025?
CMS has proposed a permanent payment cut of -4.067% for home health services, which advocates argue will damage patient access and care quality.
What steps can be taken to improve home health access?
Legislative action, specifically the Preserving Access to Home Health Act, is crucial for ensuring continued access and preventing further cuts to Medicare home health benefits.
How can I learn more about home healthcare advocacy?
The Partnership for Quality Home Healthcare provides resources and information about their advocacy efforts. They encourage those interested to take a proactive approach in supporting home health reforms.
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