General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMedicare change.."under observation"..does anyone know
anything about this claim? I got it in an email.
"I saw this on NBC News last night and thought I should send it to all my friends on Medicare as fair warning. I've included the segment for you to view. Basically, if I understand it correctly, do not let the hospital admit you with the words, "Under Observation." Insist on "In-Patient"designation. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the hospital expenses. It might be wise to inform family members too."
SharonAnn
(13,778 posts)"Under observation" is not a Medicare approved designation as I understand it. Therefore, Medicare doesn't pay any of the costs associated with the hospital stay.
shraby
(21,946 posts)to optimize their bottom line. If under observation would jeopardize them getting the bill paid, I don't see them doing that.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)It looks like a way to screw people.
Why the hell Medicare would not cover people who are under observation is beyond me. You would think it would be a way to reduce costs instead of making people be admitted.
You should inform everyone you can. Also check on them if something happens to them. This is exactly the kind of detail you forget about when you are worried about your loved one.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)but thanks for the heads up.
Blue Diadem
(6,597 posts)snip:
Hospitals say they'll lose money on the deal because many procedures are appropriate for short inpatient care and now will be reimbursed only under Medicare's lower outpatient rates.
CMS officials say hospitals actually stand to benefit financially because the two-midnight rule also says hospital visits that cross two midnights will be presumed legitimate if they include adequate physician notes. That should allow hospitals to get full inpatient rates on cases that would have been outpatient in the past, creating an estimated $220 million in new Medicare expenses nationwide, the agency estimated.
The CMS devised the policy in response to complaints that Medicare patients were being exposed to prolonged periods of outpatient observation care in the hospitalwhich exposes them to 20% co-payments and denies them eligibility for Medicare-covered rehab care upon release.