Bill > S1935

This bill aims to expand access to palliative care for Medicare beneficiaries by establishing a new community-based palliative care model through the Center for Medicare Innovation (CMI). The model would provide comprehensive care coordination for patients with serious illnesses, including conditions like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and other chronic or life-limiting conditions. The program would be implemented for five years and is designed to help high-risk patients receive supportive care that addresses pain management, symptom control, mental health, and family support. Eligible providers would include palliative care teams, home health agencies, hospitals, and integrated health systems, with at least one team member certified in hospice and palliative care. The model would offer 24/7 care, including telehealth services, and would be available in various settings such as homes, extended care facilities, and community settings. The CMI would evaluate the model's effectiveness by comparing participants to similar patients not in the program, examining factors like healthcare utilization, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and patient and caregiver experiences. Importantly, the bill specifies that patients would not be excluded from participating based on prior hospice care use, and the model is intended to replace the existing Medicare Care Choices Model.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1935/all-info