Hospital-at-Home Program Extended Until 2030, But Hospitals Must Submit Vast Data for New Federal Study

The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act is essentially a five-year extension for one of the biggest pandemic-era shifts in healthcare: the “Hospital at Home” program. This bill moves the expiration date for the federal waiver that allows hospitals to treat acutely ill patients in their homes—rather than requiring them to be admitted to a traditional hospital bed—from the end of 2025 to September 30, 2030 (SEC. 2).

This extension is a big deal for hospitals that have invested heavily in this model, and for patients who prefer receiving acute care—like treatment for heart failure or pneumonia—in their own environment. But the bill isn't just a simple extension; it comes with a major mandate for the healthcare industry: a deep-dive federal study to figure out if this model actually works better, costs less, and is equitable for everyone.

The Acute Care House Call Gets Five More Years

Remember when hospitals were scrambling for beds during the pandemic? The Hospital at Home waiver was key to freeing up capacity. This extension means that if you or a family member needs acute care, you might still have the option to receive that care at home, complete with remote monitoring and regular visits from nurses and doctors. For a busy person juggling work and family, this could be a lifeline, potentially avoiding the stress and logistical nightmare of daily hospital visits or taking time off work to sit bedside. The extension gives the program stability while the government gathers crucial data.

Show Me the Data: The Study Mandate

While the extension is welcome news to many, the real meat of this bill is Section 3, which mandates a massive study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, due by September 30, 2028. The government wants to compare every aspect of the Hospital at Home program against traditional inpatient care for patients with similar conditions. They are looking at everything from health outcomes and readmission rates to infection rates and length of stay.

Crucially, the study will also compare costs—including staffing, equipment, and prescriptions—to see if the at-home model actually saves money for the hospital. They will also analyze who is getting this care by comparing socioeconomic data, including racial and ethnic information, income, and housing status, between patients in the home program and those in the hospital. This is designed to ensure the program isn't only being offered to specific, wealthier demographics or those living close to the facility.

The Administrative Headache for Hospitals

To conduct this study, the bill grants the Secretary broad power to require hospitals to submit extensive data. This isn't just a simple survey. Hospitals will have to hand over information through cost reports, survey instruments, and even medical record information (SEC. 3). The bill also includes a catch-all allowing the Secretary to require data through “Other means the Secretary determines are appropriate.”

For hospitals, this means a significant administrative burden and cost. They will need to dedicate staff and resources to compile and submit this massive amount of operational data. While the study is necessary to determine the long-term viability of the program, the cost of compliance will definitely impact hospital budgets, which could eventually filter down into overall healthcare costs.

The Bottom Line for Patients

This bill is a temporary win for flexibility and patient choice. If you live in an area where this program is offered, you maintain the option to receive acute care at home for another five years. The mandated study is vital because it will finally provide concrete evidence on whether the Hospital at Home model is truly safe, effective, and accessible to everyone. The goal is to control for “selection bias”—meaning they want to make sure hospitals aren't just cherry-picking the easiest, lowest-risk patients for the home program. If the 2028 report is positive, it could pave the way for the program to become a permanent fixture in American healthcare.