The Congress should require acute-care hospitals to notify beneficiaries placed in outpatient observation status that their observation status may affect their financial liability for skilled nursing facility care. The notice should be provided to patients in observation status for more than 24 hours and who are expected to need skilled nursing services. The notice should be timely, allowing patients to consult with their physicians and other health care professionals before discharge planning is complete.
Hospital short-stay policy issues (4)
June 15, 2015