CT SB01075

Department of Public Health shall establish a Hospice Hospital at Home pilot program by January 1, 2024, in collaboration with a hospital and Department of Social Services, to provide hospice care in patients' homes through in-person visits and telehealth.

Pilot program services include daily telehealth visits by physicians or advanced practice registered nurses, in-person nurse visits at least twice daily, personal emergency response systems, remote patient monitoring with consent, and telephone access to on-call providers.

Advanced practice registered nurses may independently administer intravenous fluids and medications (infusions and intravenous pushes) in hospice care; registered nurses may do so under physician supervision.

Individual and group health insurance policies must provide coverage for in-home hospice services at the same level as inpatient hospital hospice services, and cannot exclude coverage solely because services are provided at home rather than in a hospital.

Commissioner of Social Services may apply for a Medicaid Section 1115 research and demonstration waiver to reimburse hospice services provided through the pilot program at the same rate as hospital-based hospice services.