Today, Rep. Chris Smith joined with Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) in introducing HR 7114, the Independence at Home Act of 2008 to offer chronically ill Medicare patients increased options of independent living while receiving quality health care. 

    “Our new legislation will give Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions new opportunities to receive the care they need at home in a comfortable, independent setting for as long as possible. The bill promotes added coordination between physicians, nurse practitioners and other health care professionals without forcing the patient into a controlled medical environment. It is a way to maximize patient care, minimize costs and let people stay where they are most comfortable, which often enhances the ability to recuperate and recover,” said Smith.

The Independence at Home Act of 2008: 

    • Provides access to chronic care coordination services by Medicare patients suffering from specific multiple chronic conditions by allowing them to remain independent in their homes and to avoid high cost hospital admissions and emergency room visits 
    • Guarantees savings and provides incentives for physician-directed care teams to provide lower cost services with better outcomes to high cost Medicare beneficiaries in high cost regions of the country 
    • Funds the chronic care coordination services entirely from the savings it achieves 
    • Provides minimum annual savings to Medicare of 5 percent as well as incentives for additional savings 
    • Monitors and holds providers accountable for outcomes, patient satisfaction and savings 
    • Builds on the experience of physician-directed chronic care coordination programs that have successfully provided better health care at lower cost to patients with multiple chronic conditions 
    • Provides support and assistance to families and caregivers 
    • Provides better health care and savings within the next year 

    “Medicare patients suffering from multiple chronic and debilitating diseases often receive disjointed and costly care, including conflicting information from their various health providers and multiple diagnoses for the same symptoms. The Independence at Home Act puts patients first by promoting coordinated care designed to quickly identify and treat emerging health problems and, where possible, avoid hospitalizations, improving patients’ quality of life while also cutting costs,” said Rep. Markey. 

    “Health care delivery can and must incorporate a patient’s emotional and psychological well-being with their physical needs. Most patients want to recuperate in their own home. This legislation enables Medicare to cover treatments and care coordination in the home not just a medical facility,” Smith added.