Having a goal for retirement includes matters such as financial planning after you stop working and considering future healthcare needs.
If you are on Medicare - An important article that my researcher found may help you plan for your emergency medical needs. The article outlines the difference between inpatient status and observation status.
Knowing the difference can potentially save you and your loved ones from unexpected medical debt.
I urge all Medicare recipients to read the article in careconversation.org titled: “Inpatient or Observation: Knowing the Difference Could Save You Thousands”
As the article notes: “The difference between inpatient and observation status is important because Medicare pays different rates according to each status. Patients admitted under observation status are considered outpatients, even though they may stay in the hospital for several days and receive treatment in a hospital bed.”
A determination of “observation status” also affects care in a rehabilitation/skilled nursing care facility.
“Observation status” hospital stays do not count toward Medicare’s requirement. In addition, hospitals can change status on a daily basis.
There is a class action moving forward, albeit slowly, about the use of ‘observation status’.
The Case is Alexander v. Azar – there is more information at Center for Medicare Advocacy.org about the case.
“Court denies all government motions…” Matthew Shepard (March 28, 2019) “Although care provided to patients on observation status is often indistinguishable from inpatient care, it does not count toward the three-day inpatient hospital stay requirement for Medicare coverage of nursing home care. This leaves beneficiaries with the burden of paying for – or forgoing – extremely costly nursing and rehabilitative care…”
In a ruling, the court cited a study performed by Brown University in 2012 that identified more than 900,000 Medicare patients who were subject to observation stays during 2009 alone.
Other excellent articles explaining and discussing ‘observation status’ –
Verywellhealth.com - What Is Hospital Observation Status? by Elizabeth Davis, RN (Updated November 23, 2018)
www.NPR.org - How Medicare's Conflicting Hospitalization Rules Cost Me Thousands Of Dollars (April 20, 2018) Alison Kodjak
www.ajmc.org - In Fairness to Seniors, Observation Status Should Be Eliminated by Andria Jacobs, RN, MS, CEN
I urge everyone with Medicare to read the articles; know the difference between inpatient and observation status as well as the difference between inpatient and outpatient status; and ask questions when using hospital services.
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