Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Care Transitions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
HPC approves $1.38M ‘Pathways’ grants to embed ASAP liaisons and speed discharges to home
Summary
The Health Policy Commission authorized seven Pathways awards totaling $1.38 million to embed Aging Service Access Point (ASAP) liaisons in hospitals to support safe discharges, with a required 30% in‑kind match and an evaluation plan using CHIA‑linked data.
The Health Policy Commission on a voice vote authorized staff to execute seven awards under its new Pathways investment program aimed at promoting appropriate transitions from hospital to home.
HPC staff said the program received seven applications requesting a combined $1,380,000, six eligible for the Distressed Hospital Trust Fund and one for the Payment Reform Trust Fund. Awards include a 3–6 month planning period, a two‑year implementation phase and a six‑month evaluation. “This will support hospitals in streamlining their patient discharge processes,” David Phelps said, noting the program’s goals of improving affordability, accessibility and equity.
Staff and applicants emphasized embedding an ASAP liaison in discharge planning to provide a warm handoff to community services. Molly, the investment team lead, described award features by hospital: Berkshire Medical Center will continue a partnership with Elder Services of Berkshire County and add online caregiver materials; Boston Medical Center will stand up an “Elder Care Alliance” with three ASAPs plus pharmacy and patient‑financial liaisons; other awardees include Holyoke Medical Center, Lowell General, Melrose Wakefield, South Coast/St. Luke’s and UMass Memorial/Clinton. Molly told commissioners the awards require a 30% in‑kind contribution so the maximum award per site will be up to about $210,000 (with $90,000 in‑kind) for a ~ $300,000 total program cost.
Commissioners questioned whether liaison activity alone can address capacity constraints in subacute settings. “We are not suggesting or proposing that this program is gonna solve the post‑acute discharge problem in Massachusetts,” David Phelps said, adding that the program is one component of broader care‑transition efforts. The commission voted to approve the recommendations and staff will seek to conclude contracting by Sept. 30 with planning beginning in October and implementation January–March 2027.
