One of WSHA’s greatest successes from the 2024 legislative session was achieving the enactment of HB 2295, which provides a permanent pathway for hospitals to provide acute care hospital services in a patient’s home. The state recently gave more details on how hospitals currently operating these programs can continue to do so until the new law takes effect. It’s official: “Hospital at Home” is here to stay, marking a big victory for Washington State patients.
Hospitals across the country have offered hospital at home services for more than two decades, but these services grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the launch of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’s) Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver. Home services became at risk when the Department of Health planned to end its enforcement discretion this spring, requiring legislative action to maintain it.
HB 2295 goes into effect June 6, 2024, and the latest update from the state clarifies that hospitals currently offering these services through federal waivers can continue to do so between June 6, 2024, and the date the Department of Health adopts rules (by Dec. 31, 2025). After the June 6 implementation, new hospitals can also begin the process of offering home services with a federal waiver. Please review our forthcoming bulletin on hospital at home for more information.
Hospital at home services are well suited to certain patients, such as those who suffer from cardiac disease or respiratory illness. These patients can enjoy the comforts of home during their care while reducing hospital patient loads. Research has shown home services are high-quality, effective, safe and equitable. Patients also report higher degrees of care satisfaction.
We are extremely pleased with this outcome, and we want to extend a huge thanks to our members for telling their stories of why these services for patients are so important.
Sincerely,
Katerina LaMarche
WSHA Policy Director
katerinal@wsha.org
