Outpatient status can be costly for Medicare patients

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20140209/LIVEWELL01/140208853#outpatient-status-can-be-costly-for-medicare-patients

By Steve Jordon / World-Herald Staff Writer
February 9, 2014

They're in typical Omaha hospital rooms, a 66-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man draped in hospital gowns, eating hospital food, watching hospital TV, sleeping that fitful overnight hospital sleep.

Nancy Becker is an “inpatient” after having a seizure and other problems. Doug is there for “observation” after falling because of his faulty knees.

It's not just a paperwork difference. The distinction between being admitted to the hospital as an inpatient and staying for observation, an outpatient status, is a national issue that is attracting the attention of Congress, the courts and the medical industry. In some cases, it's costing Medicare recipients thousands more than they expected.

There's a multibillion-dollar federal expense at stake, not to mention the health of tens of thousands of Americans.

FULL story at link.

[MANative]

1. It's not just an issue for Medicare patients

About a year ago, I went to the ER with chest pains that turned out to be a false alarm, thank god, but they kept me for "observation" overnight. I have decent insurance, and got slammed with a huge bill. Found later that if they had admitted me, it would have only been a couple hundred bucks rather than over $3000. I'd lay odds on the likelihood that many other insurers do same.

[WillowTree]

2. The 23-hour "observation" stays are often because Medicare won't certify inpatient admission.