Requiring hospitals to provide information on available hospice programs to certain individuals upon discharge under the Medicare program

(a) In general Section 1861(ee)(2)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ee)(2)(D)) is amended— (1) by inserting, home health services, after including hospice care; (2) by striking including the availability of home health services through individuals and entities and inserting the following: including— (i) in the case of individuals who are likely to need home health services, the availability of such services through home health agencies; (3) by striking listed by the hospital as available and, in the case of individuals who are likely to need post-hospital extended care services, and inserting the following: listed by the hospital as available; (ii) in the case of individuals who are likely to need post-hospital extended care services,; (4) by striking the period and inserting; and; and (5) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iii) in the case of individuals who are likely eligible for hospice care, the availability of such care through hospice programs that participate in the program under this title and that serve the area in which the patient resides.. (b) Effective date The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to discharges occurring on or after January 1, 2026.