The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announces that participating practices in the Independence at Home Demonstration’s first performance year saved more than $25 million while delivering high-quality patient care in the home.

The Independence at Home Demonstration provides chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries with primary care in their own homes, according to the release. During the Demonstration’s first performance year, the 17 participating practices provided care to more than 8,400 Medicare beneficiaries.

The $25 million represents an average savings of $3,070 per participating beneficiary, the release explains.

According to CMS’ analysis, per the release, all 17 participating practices improved quality in at least three of the six quality measures for the demonstration in the first performance year. Four participating practices met all six of the quality measures.

On average, the release explains, Medicare beneficiaries who are participating in Independence at Home practices have fewer hospital readmissions within 30 days; have follow-up contact from their provider within 48 hours of a hospital admission, hospital discharge, or emergency department visit; and have their medications identified by their provider within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital.

The beneficiaries also have their preferences documented by their provider; and use inpatient hospital and emergency department services less for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, pneumonia, or urinary tract infection.

“This is a great common-sense way for Medicare beneficiaries to get better-quality care with smarter spending from Medicare,” says CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt in the release.

“The Independence at Home Demonstration is one of the tools of the Affordable Care Act that can bring down the long-term cost of care in a patient-centered manner,” he continues.

[Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services]