Independence at Home Bill Introduced to Support Seriously Ill Medicare Beneficiaries

Four Senators across parties recently introduced the Independence at Home Act of 2016 (SB 464), a bill that will ensure chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries – especially those with advanced illness – receive high-quality, person-centered, home-based medical care. The legislation makes the Independence at Home (IAH) model of care a permanent addition to Medicare, which has shown tremendous success at providing person-centered home-based primary care to chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries.

The current IAH demonstration requires primary care providers to provide around the clock care in the home and to meet specific quality measures, including providing advance care planning.  In addition, the program has potential to ensure greater sustainability of the Medicare program.  In its first two years, IAH saved the participating practices and Medicare program tens of millions of dollars. Click here for information which will be updated periodically.