Advocates at the Center for Medicare Advocacy are working on a case involving an individual who was in a hospital bed for four days but was never "formally admitted". Instead, the hospital accorded her "observation status". … [Read more...] about “Observation Status” Harms SNF Patients As Well As Hospital Patients
Acute Hospital Care
When is Hospital Stay NOT a Hospital Stay? When the Patient Is In “Observation Status”
The Medicare statute and regulations authorize payment for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care for a beneficiary who, among other requirements, was a hospital inpatient for at least three days before the admission to the SNF. The Center for … [Read more...] about When is Hospital Stay NOT a Hospital Stay? When the Patient Is In “Observation Status”
The New Medicare Hospital Notice – Insight and Guidance for Beneficiaries
Starting July 1, 2007, hospitals participating in the traditional or Medicare Advantage Medicare program must provide beneficiaries with a new notice of discharge and appeal rights, as discussed in last week’s Weekly Alert. This Weekly Alert … [Read more...] about The New Medicare Hospital Notice – Insight and Guidance for Beneficiaries
New Rules Offer Better Protection for Medicare Patients
Medicare patients who are hospitalized sometimes find themselves being told to leave the hospital too soon, before they can safely be cared for at home or at a nursing home.[1] The protections provided for hospital patients in this … [Read more...] about New Rules Offer Better Protection for Medicare Patients
Changes to “Important Message from Medicare” Regarding Hospital Notice
The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) has made revisions to its Important Message from Medicare notice which all beneficiaries receive upon admission to the hospital and again at the time that the hospital establishes a discharge date. … [Read more...] about Changes to “Important Message from Medicare” Regarding Hospital Notice