Ben Schull-MBA, CPCU, ARM: Posted Linked-In 12/30/10
In 2009 1.1 Million seniors received unpleasant and costly surprises from Medicare, the hospital where they were initially treated and the Skilled Nursing facility that they were sent to for recovery and continuing treatment. These seniors thought they were “admitted” to a hospital for treatment for the three days Medicare requires in order to have the doctor order continuing medical rehabbing at a Skilled Nursing Facility which would be covered by Medicare and many Medicare Supplements. The key is are you being “admitted” to the hospital for treatment or are you being “observed” or “observation”. Observation at a hospital is paid for by Medicare but does not qualify as “being admitted”. Thus when the senior is transferred to the Skilled Nursing Facility for continuing treatment and recovery, it is not covered by Medicare.
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