EASE Act of 2025

This proposal would make hospitals give certain Medicare patients information about nearby hospice programs when they leave the hospital. If a patient is likely eligible for hospice care, the hospital must share options for hospice providers that take Medicare and serve the patient’s area. This builds on existing discharge planning that already covers home health and extended care options. The change would start for discharges on or after January 1, 2026.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Medicare patients leaving the hospital who are likely eligible for hospice; hospitals that discharge them.
• What changes: Hospitals must include hospice program choices (that accept Medicare and serve the patient’s community) in the discharge information given to these patients.
• When: Applies to discharges on or after January 1, 2026.