An ad hoc committee will plan a two-day public workshop, bringing together a spectrum of public and private stakeholders and thought leaders to improve understanding of: (1) the current role of Medicare home health care in supporting aging in place and in helping high risk chronically ill and disabled Americans receive health care in their communities; (2) the evolving role of Medicare home health care in caring for Americans in the future, including how to integrate Medicare home health care into new care delivery models and the future health care marketplace; (3) the key policy reforms and investments in workforce, technology, and research needed to leverage the value of home health care to support older Americans; and (4) research priorities that can help clarify the value of home health care.
The workshop will feature invited presentations and discussions that will:

1. Provide an overview of the current state of home health care, including the relevance of Medicare-certified home health agencies in supporting community-based care and healthy aging in place, and understanding current barriers (e.g., budgetary constraints, definitions, practice level restrictions, and the absence of meaningful use incentives);

2. Inform understanding of the evolving role of Medicare home health care in the future by examining and exploring innovative care delivery models that involve Medicare-certified home health agencies, home health professionals, and other aspects of health care at home to achieve the Triple Aim of improving quality of patient care, improving population health, and reducing overall cost of care;

3. Inform understanding of how to facilitate the future role of home health care in achieving the Triple Aim by examining and exploring:

a. The infrastructure needs for home health care, the health care system as a whole, and the overall environment.

b. The workforce needs relating to the supply of professionals that are educated and trained to deliver home health care.

c. The research and measurement needs for home health care as it relates to quality and efficiency of care and healthy aging.

d. The technology needs (including mobile, digital, monitoring, health information, therapeutic and diagnostic) to enable and support the healthcare of patients at home.

e. The policy reforms (including funding and accountable care considerations) and communications strategies needed to recognize the value of home health care and the importance of home health care professionals as part of a comprehensive health care team.

The committee will develop the agenda for the workshop, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate or identify moderators for the discussions. An individually-authored summary of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.