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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the Independence at Home Demonstration Improvement Act of 2020. This legislation would extend the Independence at Home (IAH) Demonstration Program for three years while providing the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to improve the program and increase the number of beneficiaries enrolled by 5,000 each year that the program shows savings.

“Ensuring Medicare patients can maintain their independence while meeting their unique medical needs and lowering costs should always be our ultimate goal. And the Independence At Home program has a proven track record of doing just that,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “With millions of older Americans homebound, this legislation will increase flexibility to improve IAH while expanding access for current providers, increasing beneficiary enrollment, and allowing our most vulnerable patients to receive care in their own homes.”

“The Independence at Home Demonstration program is a proven and cost-effective method that ensures Medicare beneficiaries can get the care they need right in their own homes,” said Congressman Thompson. “Over the last seven years, it’s been shown to improve health outcomes for seniors while giving them greater independence and saving the Medicare program millions. I’m proud to join with Congresswoman Dingell and my colleagues to introduce this legislation to expand the program and help even more Medicare beneficiaries take advantage of getting care at home.”

“I am proud to support the introduction of this timely legislation led by Congresswoman Dingell to ensure our most vulnerable older Americans can continue receiving care in the safety of their homes and save costs,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “The success of the Independence At Home Demonstration, including at the three sites in Michigan, warrants a continuation and this important legislation would allow the benefits and savings under this program to continue into 2021 and beyond.”

Since 2012, the Independence at Home Demonstration has used primary care teams to deliver comprehensive primary care services in the home to Medicare beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions. These reforms have helped improve patient outcomes and produce cost savings by reducing emergency room visits, preventable hospital admissions, and unplanned hospital readmissions. The program was extended for two years as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, and is currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2020.

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