Acceptability of Hospital-at-Home Care and Capacity for Caregiver Burden

Hospital at home provides hospital-level care for patients with low to moderate acuity in the home, using remote patient-monitoring tools, in-home infusions, and daily in-person and telehealth visits by clinicians. Family members provide low-level care for patients, such as managing medications. Currently, 322 hospitals across 37 states are approved to provide hospital-at-home care. Studies have shown reduced readmissions, lower costs, and better experiences compared with traditional hospital care. In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily authorized reimbursement under the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver that expired with the COVID-19 public health emergency. Congress extended the waiver through December 31, 2024, with a requirement that CMS conduct a comprehensive study by September 30, 2024, using hospitals’ quality of care data. As policymakers consider codifying the waiver in 2025, they need to understand acceptability of hospital-at-home care and potential capacity for caregiver burden. This study surveyed a representative US population about aspects of hospital-at-home care, including acceptability and willingness to perform caregiving tasks.

The full study can be viewed at JAMA.

Frasco MA, Duffy EL, Trish E. Acceptability of Hospital-at-Home Care and Capacity for Caregiver Burden. JAMA. Published online July 08, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.10035