Acceptability of Hospital-at-Home Care and Capacity for Caregiver Burden

Acceptability of Hospital-at-Home Care and Capacity for Caregiver Burden

Melissa A. Frasco, Erin L. Duffy, Erin Trish

Journal paper

JAMA

2024

Hospital at home provides hospital-level care for patients with low to moderate acuity in the home, using remote patient-monitoring tools, in-home infusions, and daily in-person and telehealth visits by clinicians. Family members provide low-level care for patients, such as managing medications. Currently, 322 hospitals across 37 states are approved to provide hospital-at-home care.1 Studies have shown reduced readmissions, lower costs, and better experiences compared with traditional hospital care.2,3 In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily authorized reimbursement under the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver that expired with the COVID-19 public health emergency.1 Congress extended the waiver through December 31, 2024,1 with a requirement that CMS conduct a comprehensive study by September 30, 2024, using hospitals’ quality of care data.4 As policymakers consider codifying the waiver in 2025, they need to understand acceptability of hospital-at-home care and potential capacity for caregiver burden. This study surveyed a representative US population about aspects of hospital-at-home care, including acceptability and willingness to perform caregiving tasks.