Home Health & Hospice Week

A new 2012 federal budget proposal could revamp the way you provide care, and probably not in a good way. House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) wants Medicare to transition to a voucher system by next decade, with beneficiaries turning to privatized insurance plans for coverage.

Many home care providers have seen utilization go down significantly under current Medicare Advantage plans, and the same may be likely to happen under such a voucher program, they expect.

"The proposal ends Medicare as we know it today," says the Medicare Rights Center, a beneficiary advocacy group.

"Privatizing the program through vouchers or premium subsidies would place many seniors at risk," says the National Association for Home Care & Hospice in its member newsletter.

Ryan's budget proposal isn't very specific and does not include mention of a home health copay for 2012, NAHC notes. But you can expect to see a copay and other home care cuts raised this congressional session, the trade group says.