What's Happening?
Vivalink, a digital healthcare solutions provider, has partnered with the Connected Health Collaborative Community (CHCC) to create a national framework for Hospital-at-Home (HaH) programs. This initiative aims to help hospitals and health systems develop, implement, and scale HaH programs across the United States. The blueprint, titled 'Advancing a Sustainable Hospital-at-Home Ecosystem at Scale,' was developed in collaboration with leading health systems, payors, and technology partners. The CHCC program is co-hosted by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), with sponsorship from UMass Chan Medical School’s Program in Digital Medicine.
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Why It's Important?
The development of a national framework for HaH programs is crucial as the Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) program, which allows in-home care to be reimbursed at the same rate as in-person care, is set to expire at the end of September 2025. Without an extension from Congress, hospitals may lose the financial support necessary to sustain these programs. HaH programs have demonstrated improved patient outcomes and reduced costs, making them a significant innovation in healthcare. The blueprint aims to provide health systems with the tools to efficiently and securely deploy HaH models, aligning with broader health equity and innovation goals.
What's Next?
If Congress does not extend the AHCAH waiver, health systems may face challenges in maintaining HaH programs. The blueprint developed by Vivalink and CHCC provides a scalable solution to help hospitals navigate these potential financial hurdles. Stakeholders in the healthcare industry may advocate for legislative action to ensure continued support for HaH programs, emphasizing their benefits in improving patient care and reducing healthcare costs.
Beyond the Headlines
The expiration of the AHCAH waiver could lead to broader discussions on healthcare reimbursement policies and the sustainability of innovative care models. The success of HaH programs in other countries highlights the potential for long-term shifts in how healthcare is delivered in the U.S., promoting a more patient-centered approach that could influence future healthcare policies.
