Online Buzz: Are House Calls Making a Comeback?

Do you remember when doctors made house calls? While the practice generally has been abandoned for the past 40 years, it seems to be making a comeback in the 21st century, due to rising healthcare costs.

A new federal program called the Independence at Home Demonstration, created by the Affordable Care Act, will test the effectiveness of providing healthcare to thousands of chronically ill Medicare patients in their own homes, allowing them to remain there instead of potentially entering long-term care facilities. The three-year pilot program, launched January 1, 2012, was developed with the intent to keep medical costs down by helping high-risk patients with multiple illnesses avoid being hospitalized.

Beyond reducing Medicare costs, the Independence at Home Demonstration program also could offer many benefits for seniors and family caregivers. 

Read details about the program on the Right at Home Blog, where you can find the latest news affecting the home care industry. We welcome your comments on the Independence at Home Demonstration program, and your questions about family caregiving and home care.

Right at Home, Inc. is a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those we serve. We fulfill that mission through a dedicated network of locally owned, franchised providers of in-home care services.