Maryland health officials would study hospice house payment options

Maryland health officials would jointly study the effects of paying for hospice house room and board through the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. The study would cover hospice houses as defined in COMAR 10.07.22.02 and the program's enrollees. The study would examine program costs and savings, including hospital stays, emergency care, intensive end-of-life treatment, and other hospice-use outcomes. It would assess the projected financial effect of paying for hospice house room and board, including possible offsets or net savings. It would compare states that pay for these services, including their payment methods, use outcomes, and costs. The proposed Act would take effect July 1, 2026, but the failed measure would not itself require payment for hospice house room and board.

The Maryland Department of Health would report the study's findings to the Senate Finance Committee and House Health Committee. The report would cover the study of Medical Assistance reimbursement for hospice house room and board services. The report would be submitted under the reporting process in § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. The source shows conflicting possible report deadlines of September 30 and December 1, 2026, so the final deadline cannot be confirmed from the supplied text.