The Hospice Care Access Act: what it could mean for Medicare Advantage families.
A new bill in Congress could make a big change to how hospice care is paid for under Medicare Advantage plans. It is called the Hospice Care Access Act, and if passed, it would require all Medicare Advantage plans to include hospice care as a regular benefit. This change could mean both good news and some challenges for patients, families, and hospice care providers like us at HealthView.
What this is about
Right now, most people who have Medicare Advantage plans have to switch back to Original Medicare when they need hospice care. But for the past few years, Medicare has been testing a new idea, letting some MA plans cover hospice care directly. This bill would make that change permanent for all MA plans, starting a new chapter in how end-of-life care is delivered.
What it could mean for our patients and team
Better continuity of care
Patients would no longer need to change plans to get hospice care. This can help avoid confusion and make the care journey smoother for families.
More paperwork
MA plans usually require more documentation, approvals, and reports than traditional Medicare. That could mean more time spent on paperwork and less flexibility in care decisions.
Focus on outcomes
MA plans often pay based on results, like how well we manage symptoms or keep patients out of the hospital. That means we will need to track more data about how patients are doing.
Closer relationships with insurance plans
To provide the best care under this new system, we will need to work even more closely with Medicare Advantage plans, making sure patients get what they need quickly and smoothly.
How we are getting ready
At HealthView, we are not waiting around. We are already preparing.
RESULTS · tracking the care we give to show strong outcomes
KNOWLEDGE · getting informed, staying informed
ADVOCACY · showing up where the decisions get made
Advocating on Capitol Hill
To make sure patient needs are represented, HealthView will be attending the National Alliance for Care at Home's Advocacy Week and Hill Day in Washington, D.C. This event brings providers together to speak with lawmakers about the future of home-based care, including legislation like the Hospice Care Access Act. We will be there to advocate for patient-centered policies, share real stories from our patients and families, and push for smooth, fair implementation of Medicare Advantage changes. We believe decisions made in Washington should reflect the voices of the people we serve, and we are proud to be part of that conversation.
Why this matters
Hospice care is not just a service. It is about giving people comfort, dignity, and peace at the end of life. Making sure that care is easy to access, high-quality, and personalized is essential. We support making hospice available to more people, but we also want to make sure the system works well and puts patients and families first.
We are closely following this bill and will keep you updated on what we learn during the National Alliance for Care at Home's Hill Day and Advocacy Week.