Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act

Improved Care Outcomes and Experience: The model is aimed at improving outcomes and the experience of care for high-risk beneficiaries (Section 2, subsection h, 1).

Reduced Medical Disruptions: The model aims to reduce unnecessary or unwanted emergency department visits and hospitalizations (Section 2, subsection h, 1). Additionally, services will not be disrupted solely due to a change in location from a residence to an in-patient setting (Section 2, subsection h, 6).

Broad Eligibility for Serious Illnesses: The target population includes individuals with various serious illnesses or injuries, such as cancer, heart and vascular disease, Alzheimer's and dementia, and stroke (Section 2, subsection h, 3, A).

Continuity of Care for Hospice Users: An individual will not be excluded from participating in this model based on their prior use of hospice care benefits (Section 2, subsection h, 3, B).

Comprehensive and Accessible Services: The model includes a wide range of services such as pain and symptom management, mental health services, and family and caregiver support (Section 2, subsection h, 7). Care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and includes telehealth (Section 2, subsection h, 8).

Equitable Access: The CMI is required to consider the needs of rural and underserved areas to ensure equitable access to care (Section 2, subsection h, 8).