Fwd: [Seekers Church DC] For those with Medicare: New Outpatient Observation Status Toolkit

[Fern Edwards]

This might help to clarify the "observation status" that hospitals now use, which does not count toward 3 days in the hospital, like "admission" does.

Fern

-------- Forwarded Message --------

Subject:	[Seekers Church DC] For those with Medicare: New Outpatient Observation Status Toolkit
Date:	Mon, 16 Oct 2017 14:01:49 -0400
From:	Patricia Nemore <tris...@rcn.com>
Reply-To:	tris...@rcn.com
To:	Seekers <seekers...@googlegroups.com>

Dear Seekers,

Those of you who attend Seekers church have heard me talk, periodically, about work of my former employer to help Medicare beneficiaries who get caught up in a billing code called “Observation status”.  When you are in such status in a hospital, you may think you are an inpatient but you are not and none of the payment accoutrements of inpatient status apply.  What is most significant about this is that observation status does not count toward the qualifying three stay hospital stay needed to get Medicare coverage in a skilled nursing facility.  That can result in thousands of dollars out of pocket that you may have thought Medicare would pay for.  The Center for Medicare Advocacy, to which Seekers has given money for many years, has created a “tool kit” to help people deal with this phenomenon.  Read on and please share this information with anyone you know who is enrolled in Medicare.

Be well.

Trish

Patricia Nemore
301 588 5718 (home)

240 988 8188 (cell)
 
"Love is always an arm's length away.  Help is always within earshot of your cry.  Redemption is always in walking distance and the truth is always right in front of your eyes."  from a song by blues harmonica great Phil Wiggins.

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Center for Medicare Advocacy" <Communi...@MedicareAdvocacy.org>

Subject: New Outpatient Observation Status Toolkit

Date: October 12, 2017 at 5:29:12 PM EDT

To: "Patricia Nemore" <tris...@rcn.com>

Reply-To: Communi...@MedicareAdvocacy.org

__ New Outpatient Observation Status Toolkit With generous support from the John A. Hartford Foundation, the Center for Medicare Advocacy has compiled a Toolkit for patients who find themselves stuck in the ongoing trap of "outpatient" Observation Status.  Patients may find themselves in the hospital, receiving medical services, tests, and treatment, sometimes for many days, but learn they are considered outpatients, in Observation Status, not admitted inpatients. This is understandably confusing for patients and families – and difficult for hospitals, hospital physicians and personnel. The information in our Toolkit can help beneficiaries, families, advocates and providers understand and respond to an “outpatient” Observation Status designation.  The Toolkit contains our Observation Status Infographic; Frequently Asked Questions; A Fact Sheet, Summary & Stories from our partners in the Observation Coalition; A Sample Notice (the MOON); our Recorded Webinar (slides in the printable .pdf); Beneficiary/Advocate Q&A; and our Self-Help Packet. The Toolkit can be downloaded in its entirety or browsed online at http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/medicare-hospital-outpatient-observation-status-toolkit. The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. For more than three decades, the organization has been the leader in building a field of experts in aging and testing and replicating innovative approaches to care. The Foundation has three areas of emphasis: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. Working with its grantees, the Foundation strives to change the status quo and create a society where older adults can continue their vital contributions. For more information, visit johnahartford.org and follow @johnahartford. The Center for Medicare Advocacy, established in 1986, is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan law organization that provides education, advocacy and legal assistance to help older people and people with disabilities obtain access to Medicare and quality health care. The Center is headquartered in Connecticut and Washington, DC with offices throughout the country. Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. • www.MedicareAdvocacy.org • PO Box 350, Willimantic, CT 06226 • 1025 CT Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.

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[Kathleen Bush]

Hi Fern,

Thanks for sending this.

Kathleen

Sent from my iPad

Begin forwarded message:

The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. For more than three decades, the organization has been the leader in building a field of experts in aging and testing and replicating innovative approaches to care. The Foundation has three areas of emphasis: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. Working with its grantees, the Foundation strives to change the status quo and create a society where older adults can continue their vital contributions. For more information, visit johnahartford..org and follow @johnahartford.

The Center for Medicare Advocacy, established in 1986, is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan law organization that provides education, advocacy and legal assistance to help older people and people with disabilities obtain access to Medicare and quality health care. The Center is headquartered in Connecticut and Washington, DC with offices throughout the country.

Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. • www.MedicareAdvocacy.org • PO Box 350, Willimantic, CT 06226 • 1025 CT Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.

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[Nancy Birner]

Thank you, Fern....never heard of this before.  Nancy

Nancy Birner
nlbi...@verizon.net

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