Becker's Healthcare November 22, 2024
Hospital-at-home and telehealth reimbursement from CMS will expire at the end of 2024 without congressional action, threatening hospitals’ financial recovery next year, Fitch Ratings said in a Nov. 21 report shared with Becker’s.
CMS gave flexibility for hospitals to provide inpatient care at home and additional telehealth services during the pandemic. The rules were extended under the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act but expire Dec. 31 unless Congress acts to renew the programs.
“Hospitals have increasingly incorporated these services into their operations, which has helped to alleviate revenue and expense pressures,” according to Fitch. “Hospital financials have shown signs of improvement, although challenges lurk with increased Medicare payers as the U.S. population ages, shifts from inpatient to outpatient services and achieving...