AAH | Value of HME

Why Homecare Matters

Home-based care enhances quality of life by allowing individuals to receive equipment, supplies, and services in the comfort of their own familiar surroundings. Homecare enables people to remain in their homes, stay connected with loved ones, and be involved in the community. It fosters independence, dignity, autonomy, and choice for whatever stage of life one is in. It is critical that cost-effective home and community-based services are strengthened and protected to ensure access to people with disabilities and our aging population.

Homecare is the Trifecta of Health Care

Homecare enables people with disabilities and older adults to live at home where they prefer instead of having to move into a facility to manage their medical needs.
“AARP’s 2021 Home and Community Preferences survey found that over three-quarters (77%) of adults age 50 and older want to remain in their homes as they age.” – AARP
“When an individual is able to age in their own home, they are granted a daily sense of familiarity, whether that consists of morning greetings from a household pet, contact with neighbors, or the ability to surround themselves with physical objects that represent cherished memories.” – Delaware Journal of Public Health

Homecare tends to be more cost-effective than institutional care, making it a practical choice for families seeking high quality healthcare within their budget and provide a cost savings to payers.
Oxygen therapy can be provided for one year at home for the cost of one day’s stay in the hospital.
“In most cases, HCBS [home and community based services] are less expensive than receiving care in an institutionalized setting.” – Alliance for Aging Research
“Risk-bearing healthcare organizations could use home-based alternatives to hospital admission as a means of providing high-quality care at a lower cost” – American Journal of Accountable Care
“According to early trials of [Johns Hopkins’ hospital at home] program, the costs of at home care was 32% less than traditional hospital care.” – The Commonwealth Fund
“Meanwhile, the share of LTSS [long term services & supports] out of total Medicaid expenditures declined from 47% in FY 1988 to 32% in FY 2018. Reasons for this decline include state LTSS system rebalancing initiatives that promote increased use of more cost-effective HCBS [home and community based services] and increased spending for non-LTSS populations and services.” – Medicaid.gov

Homecare fosters better health outcomes, reduces the risk of facility-acquired infections, reduces admissions/readmissions, lessens trips to the ED, and minimizes disruptions to daily routines.
“Two of the biggest assets available to people living with dementia—their homes and their families—are going largely underused as nursing homes fill up… Aging in place is now a mainstream strategy for caring for older people, even those with dementia” – AMA
“Aging in one’s home can provide an alternative to nursing homes or long-term care facilities, therefore protecting older adults from health care associated infections that could negatively impact their health and/or shorten their lifespan.” – Delaware Journal of Public Health

Twenty-four years ago, the Supreme Court affirmed that people with disabilities have a right to live and receive services where they live. The landmark ruling has enabled millions of Americans to have greater independence, autonomy, and opportunities to participate fully in their communities.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra - 2023

Millions of Americans Rely on HME to Manage Health Conditions at Home

It is imperative that the United States invest in cost-effective solutions to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population. By 2040, the percentage of people 85+ will double to 14 million, and by 2060, almost a quarter of the US population will be 65+.

Durable medical equipment is a critical component of home-based care with tens of millions Medicare beneficiaries relying on DME, supplies, and services to manage their needs in a home setting. The service component of HME providers is invaluable and cannot be understated. In their multi-faceted role, they are:

Product experts who understand the range of options available to best meet one’s needs;
Front line advocates for the end users teaching them about disease management in the home;
Care coordinators who conduct ongoing assessments for renewal and change orders with the medical care team;
Logistics coordinators to source products amidst a rapidly changing landscape;
Billing experts to comply with a variety of payers requirements; and
Clinical liaisons to educate prescribers on documentation requirements.

Resources to Help You Communicate the Value of HME

AAHomecare is fighting to ensure HME providers like you have the resources they need to keep patients happy and healthy in the home. “The Value of HME: Providers Partnering for Reduced Cost and Improved Outcomes” is designed to help show your value. You may access this resource and its featured videos by clicking on the brochure below.

For instructions or tips and tricks on how to use this resource, please use this PDF guide.

See Brochure

Value of HME Advocacy Tools