by guest author Roy Whited
If you are admitted to a hospital as a Medicare patient, the hospital may try to discharge you before you are ready. As a Medicare beneficiary you may want to fight a hospital discharge. One of the major benefits of Medicare is its coverage of hospitalization. Medicare covers 90 days of hospitalization per illness (plus a 60-day “lifetime reserve”). You may need more time to recover from surgery or your hip fracture may not be fully healed, but the hospital may want the room back. While the hospital can’t force you to leave, it can begin charging you for services Therefore, it is important to know your rights and how to appeal. Even if you don’t win your appeal, appealing can buy you crucial extra days of Medicare coverage.
Remember, Medicare only pays for skilled care in a nursing home and you must have a 3-day stay in the hospital prior to going to the nursing home.
For more information on the procedures you need to follow, you can visit www.medicare.gov.
If you are in Ohio, go to Ohio KePro Discharge Appeals or Ohio KePRO Beneficiary Help Line or call 1-800-589-7337 for detailed information and assistance. You can also call our office at 1-800-798-5297 or 1-800-888-488-9955.
