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Home Hospital

Mass General Brigham has offered Home Hospital care since 2017, making us one of the most established programs in the country. We bring hospital-level treatment to patients in the comfort of home—delivering compassionate care with quick access to support when it’s needed most.

Female healthcare provider assisting senior patient in their home

Mass General Brigham hospital care delivered in your home

We believe that patients shouldn’t have to choose between exceptional care and the comfort of home. At Mass General Brigham Home Hospital, eligible patients receive expert, hospital-level care from trusted providers—safely and conveniently, right where they live.

With 24/7 remote monitoring, daily visits from clinicians, sophisticated telehealth technology, and around-the-clock access to an integrated care team, Home Hospital provides the same world-class services you would receive in the hospital, held to the same high-quality standards.

Home Hospital is available for a range of conditions—from infections and heart failure to certain post-surgical recoveries—bringing advanced treatment to the setting patients find most healing. To be eligible, patients must live within the designated service area.

What are the benefits of Home Hospital?

We have found that many people recover better at home. On average, Home Hospital patients:

  • Have a shorter length of stay
  • Stay more active
  • Report higher satisfaction
  • Have an easier time transitioning back to daily life after discharge
  • Experience better clinical outcomes
  • Benefit from reduced caregiver stress, as loved ones have more time to focus on emotional support and self-care

How do I become a Home Hospital patient?

To be eligible for Home Hospital, patients must first be seen in a Mass General Brigham hospital, either in the Emergency Department or as an inpatient. If you and your provider decide Home Hospital is the right choice for you, your provider will refer you. They will only recommend Home Hospital to you if it is clinically appropriate.

Home Hospital is entirely voluntary. It will only be offered if your medical team believes it is a safe and appropriate option for you. If you prefer a traditional hospital stay, that will always remain available.

Common conditions we treat through Home Hospital

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Flu
  • Pneumonia
  • COVID-19

  • Cellulitis
  • Complicated UTI (urinary tract infection)
  • Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin infections

  • IBD flares, colitis, diverticulitis, and pancreatitis
  • Acute hepatitis or decompensated cirrhosis
  • Appendicitis or bowel obstruction (in select cases)
  • Complicated wound infections
  • Recovery after procedures such as bariatric surgery, colectomy, or ileostomy reversal

  • Chronic kidney disease with fluid overload
  • Mild adrenal crisis

What Home Hospital includes

What to expect as a Home Hospital patient

Home Hospital is available for a range of conditions, including certain post-surgical recoveries.

If you and your provider decide Home Hospital is the right choice for you, you’ll return home where a member of your clinical team will meet you to set you up with everything you need for a safe, successful experience.

You’ll receive:

  • A tablet for 24/7 video access to your care team
  • Remote monitoring tools to track your vital signs
  • Clear instructions on how to reach your team by phone or video—anytime, day or night

Your care at home will closely mirror a traditional hospital stay:

  • A provider will meet with you at the beginning of your home hospitalization to help create your care plan.
  • Nurses, paramedics, and other care team members will provide your in-person care.
  • You’ll also have a daily check-in with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant—either in person or by video.

Your care team may also include care coordinators, social workers, physical therapists, or other specialists based on your needs. We work closely with your regular providers, and each other, to provide seamless care and make sure your condition is improving as expected.

Frank's story

After having weight loss surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, Frank Norton was thrilled to recover at home through Mass General Brigham Home Hospital. With hospital-level care, including provider visits, pain management, IV fluids, and remote monitoring, he healed comfortably with family support. Within four months, he lost over 70 pounds, felt healthier, and no longer needed blood pressure medication.

Frequently asked questions

Home Hospital lets you receive hospital-level care in the comfort of your home. Whether you’re recovering from a surgical procedure, managing a flare-up of a chronic condition, or being treated for an illness like pneumonia or a urinary tract infection, Home Hospital care is available to help you heal safely and comfortably where you live. You'll have a personalized care plan, flexibility in your daily routine, and more privacy—all while receiving the same high-quality care you'd expect in a hospital setting.

If Home Hospital is right for your condition, needs, and location, your doctor may recommend it. It is offered to all eligible patients who live within Home Hospital’s service area and meet medical criteria.

There is no additional cost to you for Home Hospital care other than expenses you would normally have when hospitalized. We accept patients regardless of insurance. You’ll only be billed for copays or services not covered by your plan.

Mass General Brigham will handle the billing for your admission and bill your insurance (as appropriate). In the unlikely event that you do receive a bill, please contact Patient Billing Solutions at 617-726-3884 Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Just like in the hospital, your team will consist of Mass General Brigham doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. You will likely also be visited by specially trained Mass General Brigham paramedics during your admission at home.  

We also stay in close communication with your existing doctors and value their input in your care.

You’ll be able to reach your Home Hospital team by phone anytime you have questions or concerns. We’ll make sure you have clear instructions on how to contact your team if you have questions or concerns. In an emergency, you should always call 911.

During your Home Hospital stay, you’ll be seen in person at least twice a day, along with to regular virtual visits from your care team. If you need help between visits, you can contact the Home Hospital team 24/7. We can arrange urgent or unplanned visits as needed. You are never out of touch.

You’ll be monitored remotely around the clock by a team of nurses, and if anything changes, help is sent quickly. If you ever want or need to return to the hospital, we’ll coordinate a safe transfer.

Being admitted to Home Hospital is the same as being admitted to the regular hospital. You’ll need to stay home unless you've made arrangements with your care team. That way, we can reach you quickly if needed.

That said, our goal is to help you feel comfortable and maintain your independence. While some adjustments may be necessary based on your treatment plan, we’ll aim to minimize disruptions to your usual routine.

You’ll have regular in-person and virtual visits, and any medications or equipment will be delivered to your home. We'll provide you with a visit and medication drop-off schedule. Please make sure to be available during the scheduled times or reach out to your care team if you need to discuss rescheduling options. The team will do their best to accommodate your schedule, but the timing of the visits depends on the timing of your medication and your clinical needs.

If any part of your care requires a test or treatment that can only be done at the hospital—like a CT scan—we’ll coordinate those visits with you.

Most Home Hospital stays last about five to six days, but the exact length depends on your condition and recovery. The Home Hospital team will determine what kind of monitoring you need. Some patients use tools like blood pressure cuffs or oxygen sensors to track their vitals, while others may receive a device that monitors vital sign continuously and shares results in real time.

When you’re ready to be discharged, your care team will work with you—and your primary care provider, if needed—to plan any follow-up care, such as nursing visits or physical therapy.

These plans often include scheduled home visits from nurses or therapists and referrals to outpatient services or rehabilitation programs.

Your Home Hospital team will make sure you have everything you need to safely and comfortably receive care at home. We handle all medical care, just like in the hospital.

Transportation home is arranged based on your situation. Some patients return home with a family member, while others may receive transportation support. When you arrive, your care team will meet you at home to set up your care and review the plan for follow-up visits.

If you need help with meals during your stay, we’ll arrange food delivery to your home.

Caregivers aren't expected to take on medical responsibilities. However, they often play an important role in the decision-making and may help with everyday tasks like helping the patient stay hydrated, get dressed, shower, and go to the bathroom. We'll work with each family to find the right balance based on the patient's needs and the caregiver’s comfort level.

Yes, beloved pets can be a wonderful source of comfort and companionship during Home Hospital care. For everyone’s safety, we ask that pets be secured in another room during visits from your care team. This ensures that we can provide you with undivided attention and that your pet remains safe and undisturbed during medical procedures or consultations.