Portman, Cornyn introduce bill to enhance availability of home healthcare under Medicare

Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sens Rob Portman (R-OH) and John Cornyn (R-TX) on Wednesday would make the Independence at Home (IAH) demonstration into a full-fledged Medicare program.

The IAH demonstration, which has been used to provide high-quality care to patients who suffer from multiple debilitating diseases, saved Medicare $25 million in its first year alone.

“I have seen the benefits the Independence at Home program has provided for seniors in Northeast Ohio during the demonstration program — it has reduced hospital readmissions, prevented costly hospital and nursing home admissions, and most importantly kept patients healthy and in their preferred care setting,” Portman said. “I’m excited to join my colleagues to introduce legislation today to make the IAH program permanent and accessible to Medicare beneficiaries across all of Ohio and the nation.”

The IAH demonstration uses a coordinated care delivery model to reduce duplicative services, prevent hospitalizations and lower overall healthcare costs. The program also established an incentive for additional savings through investments in healthcare information technology, as well as a reimbursement for primary physicians to make house calls.

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), a cosponsor of the bill, added that the IAH enables doctors and nurses to continue providing care for severely ill patients by bringing house calls into the 21st century.

“This bill ensures patients can have access to quality health care at home and their families will have a greater sense of security for their loved ones, all while lowering costs,” Cornyn said. “I appreciate Sen. Markey’s partnership and look forward to continuing our work on this important legislation.”

The House of Representatives and the Senate approved two-year extensions for the IAH demonstration in 2012.

Efforts to make the program a permanent part of Medicare have been supported by industry groups like the American Academy of Home Care Medicine, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Family Caregiver Alliance.

“IAH successfully fills a critical gap in health care for our frail and elderly that few programs have been able to achieve,” Dr. Mindy Fain, the president of the American Academy of Home Care Medicine, said. “In the process, it improves patient satisfaction and health outcomes, while simultaneously saving money. We are delighted that a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators has introduced this legislation.”