Federal Court Orders Appeal Rights on “Observation Status” Issue for Certain Medicare Hospital Patients

"The Court heard the voices of our clients, who represent the thousands of Medicare beneficiaries faced with the baffling observation issue – when they are already dealing with a hospitalization for significant illnesses and injuries. Fairness and due process require that they have an opportunity to appeal their hospital observation status to Medicare, just as they can for most other issues affecting their Medicare coverage.”

On March 24, 2020, a federal court issued a decision in a nationwide class action, Alexander v. Azar, finding that certain Medicare beneficiaries who are placed on “observation status” at hospitals, rather than being admitted as “inpatients,” have the right to appeal to Medicare to challenge that status. If you are a Medicare beneficiary who received “observation services” in a hospital since January 1, 2009 and either did not have Medicare Part B, or, you were hospitalized for at least three consecutive days but not three days as an inpatient, you may be a member of the class. No action is required to join the class. Please check this space for further updates and sign up for our Alerts to receive news about significant developments in the case.

Read More at https://www.medicareadvocacy.org/federal-court-orders-appeal-rights-on-observation-status-issue-for-certain-medicare-hospital-patients/