Wyden Lauds Health Savings from Independence at Home Program

Press Release

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today touted new data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that indicated significant first year results from the Independence at Home Demonstration, which provides primary care services to Medicare beneficiaries in a home setting. Wyden also celebrated news that Housecall Providers, Inc., a homecare provider in Portland, Oregon, had the highest level of cost savings in the 17-practice demonstration group.

"Independence at Home finally recognizes and rewards homecare providers for the tireless work they've been doing for years to give our nation's seniors quality care in the comfort of their home," Wyden said. "Today's news clearly shows that giving quality care to seniors at home not only provides better care for those with chronic illnesses, but also holds down health costs."

"Housecall Providers was my inspiration to author this legislation and fight to include it in the Affordable Care Act, and I'm incredibly proud of their success in demonstrating that this model of care works. I am going to continue working to extend and scale this program so more seniors across Oregon and the rest of the country can benefit."

CMS found that Independence at Home participants saved over $25 million in the first performance year, which is an average of $3,070 per participating beneficiary. More information from CMS is available here.

IAH uses primary care teams providing care in the home to improve health outcomes and reduce expenditures for Medicare beneficiaries living with multiple chronic conditions. While providing high quality, consistent care is the top priority, health care providers whose expenditures are less than a target amount are eligible for bonus payments as long as they meet quality of care standards.

Independence at Home was included as a demonstration project in the Affordable Care Act. Wyden authored the provision along with Senator Edward Markey, D-Mass. Wyden is also pushing for a two-year extension of the Independence at Home Demonstration, which passed through the Senate on April 22 by voice vote and is currently being considered by the House of Representatives.

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