Restriction on the Number of Senior Citizens in Hospital Observation Care

Medicare officials are planning to make some changes in the hospital admission rules. They seek to limit the rising number of beneficiaries who are placed in the observation care but are not eligible for nursing home coverage. "This trend concerns us because of the potential financial impact on Medicare beneficiaries," officials wrote in an announcement April 26. Patients must spend three consecutive inpatient days in the hospital before Medicare will cover nursing home care ordered by a doctor. Under the proposed changes, a senior will be considered an outpatient receiving an observation care if he has to stay in the hospital for less than two days. These modified admission rules they have proposed will also restrict the growing length of time of observation visits. Visit seniorjournal.com to read the full story.