In recent years, the United States has witnessed significant progress in enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality for all Americans. However, certain gaps still exist in the system, particularly when it comes to patients requiring transfusion services within the hospice Medicare benefit. Recognizing this issue, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) recently introduced the Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act. This crucial and bipartisan legislation would direct the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to create a demonstration program to allow reimbursement for palliative blood transfusions outside of the hospice benefit.
Currently, individuals requiring regular transfusions to maintain their quality of life, such as those battling leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, face significant hurdles when accessing hospice care. Under the current system, these patients risk losing access to transfusion services once they opt into hospice, as such care is funded from the capped hospice benefit amount. As a result, many patients are forced to choose to delay or forgo entering hospice, potentially missing out on valuable end-of-life care for fear of losing access to essential transfusion services.
The Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act seeks to address this issue by advocating for a separate billing mechanism for transfusion services within the hospice Medicare benefit. By carving out payment for transfusions, hospice patients can continue to receive these life-sustaining treatments while benefiting from comprehensive hospice care. This proposed legislation acknowledges the critical role of transfusion services in maintaining the well-being and quality of life for patients with certain medical conditions.
America’s Blood Centers proudly supports this bill. The Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act represents a significant step forward in improving the lives of patients requiring transfusion services within the hospice Medicare benefit. By supporting this bill, America’s Blood Centers aims to ensure that hospice patients have equal access to essential treatments, enabling them to receive comprehensive end-of-life care without sacrificing vital transfusions. Through collaboration and advocacy, we can ensure that every patient receives the care they deserve, promoting a more compassionate and inclusive healthcare system.
Read more about this legislation here.