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Bill closes loophole between hospital status and skilled nursing care
Proposed legislation could close a loophole that ends up costing seniors money when they require skilled nursing care following a hospital stay.
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Under the current Medicare policy, a patient must have an “inpatient” hospital stay of at least three days in order for Medicare to cover post-hospitalization skilled nursing care. Patients who receive hospital care under “observation status” do not qualify for this benefit, even if their hospital stay lasts longer than three days.
The bill also establishes a 90-day appeal process for denials.
If a patient is in the hospital for less than three days and then needs to be transferred to a skilled nursing facility, they could be liable for payment.
Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act is currently in committee.
