Advocates urge study of Medicaid hospice room‑and‑board reimbursement to expand choices at end of life
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Summary
Proponents of SB611 told the committee that Medicaid’s exclusion of room‑and‑board payments for residential hospice houses prevents low‑income patients from accessing hospice facilities, and asked for a targeted study of federal options and state implementation models.
Senate Bill 611 would commission a study of Medicaid reimbursement for hospice house room‑and‑board in Maryland. Supporters told senators that hospice houses are residential, comfort‑focused settings distinct from hospital inpatient or general inpatient care and that the current exclusion of room‑and‑board from Medicaid coverage places hospice residence out of reach for many low‑income beneficiaries.
Speakers from the Hospice and Palliative Care Network of Maryland, Compass Regional Health, LifeBridge Health, and hospital systems argued a carefully structured pass‑through or state plan amendment could increase patient choice, permit safer discharges from hospitals, and reduce costly hospital utilization. ‘‘A carefully structured room and board benefit could support safer discharges,’’ Peggy Schmoda (Hospice & Palliative Care Network) said.
Advocates pointed to other states that have obtained CMS approval for room‑and‑board arrangements and asked Maryland to study models, financial implications, and regulatory pathways. Hospitals testified that inability to transfer eligible Medicaid patients to hospice houses can lengthen hospital stays and slow ED throughput.
The committee treated the bill as a study request; proponents emphasized the need for a data‑driven approach and collaboration with Medicaid and CMS rather than immediate programmatic change.
