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Important Health/Medical Insurance Information

Health/Hospitals ADMITTED VS. OBSERVED

A reminder, if you find yourself in the hospital, or you are in the hospital’s emergency room,  you want to be ADMITTED, not observed.  Even if you are moved into a hospital room, make sure and ask if you are being ADMITTED. 

 

‘Admitted” means you are in the hospital under the care of a doctor, and “under observation” means you are staying in the hospital, but as an outpatient. Even though you may spend the night, no admissions papers have been signed making you an admitted inpatient in the hospital. In effect, you are in the Emergency Room even if you may not be in the actual ER itself.

 

“Observation” is a way for insurance companies not to have to pay for follow-up services.  You can be sent to a room in a hospital and have everyone helping you and still be under observation status. 

 

Both hospital costs and any post-hospital care are covered by insurance/Medicare at higher amounts if you are admitted. Any time in the emergency department prior to admission and the day of discharge is considered outpatient and may be billed at a higher rate.

 

Because it makes a difference, hospitals are required to let you know what your status is. Sometimes, though, you may not really understand what the status means regarding your insurance coverage. Medicare payments for post-discharge nursing home rehab stays are also affected by the status of the prior hospital stay.

 

You do not want this.   Pursue being ADMITTED.   Ask for your status.  ADMITTED is the key.

Author: Michelle D Walton – writer/contributor
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