Bill > S806

This bill aims to increase access to acute hospital at home services by mandating that various types of health insurance plans provide coverage and reimbursement for these services at the same rate as in-person hospital services. Specifically, the bill requires coverage for hospital at home services provided by acute care hospitals participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Acute Hospital Care at Home Program. The bill applies to multiple types of insurance plans, including those for state employees (through the Group Insurance Commission), individual and group accident and sickness insurance policies, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, health maintenance organization (HMO) contracts, and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Hospital at home services allow patients to receive acute-level hospital care in their own homes, which can potentially reduce healthcare costs, improve patient comfort, and decrease the risk of hospital-acquired infections. The bill ensures that these services will be reimbursed at the same rate as traditional in-person hospital services, making this innovative care model more accessible to patients across different insurance platforms in Massachusetts.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S806