30,000 Patients Treated at Home as Hospital Waiver Secured Through 2030
A federal waiver now allows hospitals to bill Medicare for home-based care, a model that reduces readmissions and frees up inpatient beds.
By James Mitchell ·
More than 30,000 patients have received hospital-level care in their own homes under a federal program that has gained traction as a solution to rising demand in the U.S. healthcare system. The initiative, which brings nursing visits, remote monitoring, and virtual doctor check-ins to a patient's residence, is now backed by a regulatory waiver that extends through September 2030.
The program operates by equipping homes with medical-grade technology. Patients receive a tablet for video visits and remote monitoring equipment, with providers often supplying internet access and training. Nurses conduct at least two daily in-person visits, while physicians monitor patients virtually. If a patient's condition deteriorates, protocols allow for rapid transfer back to the medical center. Colleen Callahan, a 75-year-old patient from Peoria, Illinois, was treated through the OSF Healthcare OnCall Digital Hospital program in 2024 for bacterial pneumonia. She spent five days in the program and stated that the care felt more personal than a traditional hospital stay.
Hospitals participating in the model must be located within 30 minutes of the patient's home, and patients must be stable enough for home monitoring. The conditions treated range from acute infections to chronic illnesses such as congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Akin Demehin of the American Hospital Association noted that more than 350 hospitals across the country currently run similar programs. He described the model as one of the most promising care innovations to emerge in recent years, emphasizing that it frees up inpatient beds for the sickest patients.
Financial data supports the model's efficiency. A 2024 study by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that readmission rates for certain conditions and hospital-acquired infections are lower for patients treated at home compared to those in traditional hospital settings. Patients are generally billed at the same rate as an in-hospital stay, with insurance covering the costs. Tom Kiesau of Chartis Group, a healthcare consulting firm, stated that lower spending in the post-discharge period suggests potential long-term savings for the Medicare program. He noted that these savings could eventually translate to lower costs for taxpayers, though he acknowledged the impact would not be immediate.
The regulatory stability of the program has been a key factor in its expansion. Previously, hospitals required temporary waivers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to bill for home-based care. Following several short-term extensions, Congress approved the waiver through 2030 with bipartisan support. Krista Drobac of Moving Health Home said the regulatory certainty encourages more hospitals to join the program. She expressed a goal for the model to become a permanent part of the healthcare infrastructure, aligning with patient preferences for care in familiar settings.
Advocates have raised concerns about the impact on family caregivers, who may take on additional responsibilities. A 2022 study published in JAMA Health Forum noted that the program does not always sufficiently consider the role and stress of family members. However, Drobac said research indicates that caregivers often feel less stressed because they have direct access to medical professionals for guidance. Callahan reported that her husband and daughter felt supported during her treatment, noting that being in her own home benefited the family as a whole. According to Moving Health Home, 85% of patients who have used the program say they would recommend it to family and friends.
