Content Overview
- Summary
- Ask If You Will Be On "Observation Status"
- Confirm The Identity Of Your In Hospital "Point Person"
- Bring An Advocate
- Set Up An Easy Means Of Communicating With The People Who Want To Know How You're Doing
- Set Up A Means Of Keeping Track Of Services Provided
- You Don't Have To Accept An Assigned Roommate
Entering The Hospital Through The Front Door -- Elective Admission
Ask If You Will Be On "Observation Status"
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Sometimes a patient is admitted to a hospital on an "observation status." While on "observation status" you stay in the hospital, and receive hospital services. However, you are not considered to be a patient.
"Observation status" is meaningful when it comes to your bill. Medicare and some private insurance charge patients a 20 percent co-payment. There is also no coverage for the cost of post-hospital nursing care or rehabiltation which require a minimum stay as a patient in a hospital before coverage takes effect.
In theory, observation status should not last more than a day or two. However, hospitals are sometimes using it for longer stays to avoid Medicare penalties in case there is a readmission soon after discharge.
If you are admitted on observation status, it is advisable to insist that you be changed to "patient" status as soon as possible.
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