This week I introduced an important piece of legislation that will give seniors, people with disabilities, and their families, the option to choose adult day care as a covered service in Medicare. Put simply, this would provide beneficiaries a new option without adding to the cost of Medicare. So, if a patient qualifies for home health care, they can choose to receive care at their home OR they can choose to receive care at adult day centers.
The Medicare Adult Day Care Services Act (H.R. 3043) is a cost-effective way to add more choice to Medicare because it would pay adult day care providers 98% of the home health rate thus saving Medicare dollars. Given our current economic turmoil, I am especially pleased that my bill would not add to the cost of Medicare, and will likely even save a few dollars.
Adult day care is a family-friendly option for seniors who require rehabilitation and other assistance with daily life tasks, but don’t require 24-hour care.
Patients will be able to receive more services and hours of care for a lower, all-inclusive rate. Adult day services offer a bundled rate that includes nursing, physical, occupational therapy, social services, personal care, as well as meals, transportation, and recreational activities. Patients aren’t just playing bingo – they are improving their quality of life.
Read on.
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