The Commonwealth Fund, 2023: Policy Options to Support Family Caregiving for Medicare Beneficiaries at Home
Proposal Overview
Name: The Commonwealth Fund, 2023: Policy Options to Support Family Caregiving for Medicare Beneficiaries at Home
Year: 2023
Sponsoring Organization and Key Author(s):
Sponsoring Organization:
The Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation that supports independent research on health care issues and makes grants to improve health care practice and policy. Its mission is to promote a high-performing, equitable health care system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency.
Key Authors:
Barbara Lyons and Jane Andrews
Program Details
Overview: This report draws on caregiver surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews to illustrate the emotional, financial, and logistical burdens faced by family caregivers of Medicare beneficiaries. It recommends administrative and regulatory changes and legislative actions to expand support for family caregivers. Supports include financial assistance, help with care navigation, and caregiver training. The report
encourages research to address equity and access concerns. The congressional recommendations are described below.
Major Legislative Recommendations
Expand/Enhance Caregiver Programs
Medicare
Recommends expanding Medicare coverage of in-home services and supports for family caregivers.
Recommends expanding special supplemental benefits, and Medicare coverage of additional benefits for beneficiaries and their family caregivers.
Recommends eliminating the homebound requirement for the home health benefit.
Financial Supports for Family Caregivers
Tax Credit/Deduction for Caregiver Expenses
Recommends a stipend payment to family caregivers supporting a Medicare beneficiary at home. Recommends reimbursing family caregivers’ out-of-pocket expenses for durable medical equipment, transportation costs, and housing assistance.