MD HB1151

Maryland Health Care Commission and Maryland Medical Assistance Program must jointly study the impact of requiring Medicaid to reimburse room and board services provided by hospice houses

Study must analyze Medicaid savings associated with hospice care utilization during enrollees' last 6 months of life, including impacts on avoided hospital stays, emergency department use, and intensive end-of-life treatments

Study must examine how room and board reimbursement would affect hospital readmission rates, hospice length of stay, early access to hospice services, and reduction in hospital deaths

Study must include comparison of other states that reimburse hospice house room and board, analyzing their payment models, utilization outcomes, and cost impacts

Maryland Department of Health must report findings to Senate Finance Committee and House Health Committee by September 30, 2026; bill takes effect July 1, 2026