AHA Feb. 26 submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed rule establishing appeals rights for Medicare beneficiaries admitted for an inpatient hospital stay subsequently reclassified to an outpatient stay with observation services. The rule, which establishes both retrospective and prospective appeal rights for beneficiaries, is a result of a court decision in the case of Alexander v. Azar. In comments, AHA said it supports the agency’s general approach and offered recommendations to ensure beneficiaries better understand CMS policies and to help clarify and reduce the burden of these appeals on all parties involved. AHA also asked CMS to temporarily use its enforcement discretion regarding the proposal that hospitals timely deliver a new notice called a Medicare Change of Status Notice, in order to determine whether changes or additional requirements are warranted.

Related News Articles

Headline
A Health Affairs study published Sept. 2 found that less than 40% of Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder received standard care in alignment with…
Headline
The AHA Sept. 3 released a study conducted by KNG Health Consulting that found Medicare patients who receive care in a hospital outpatient department are more…
Headline
The AHA Aug. 28 expressed support for the Preserving Patient Access to Accountable Care Act in comments to House and Senate sponsors of the bill. The…
Headline
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Aug. 21 announced the creation of a Healthcare Advisory…
Headline
A JAMA study published Aug. 18 found that plan design changes by Medicare Part D insurers, particularly for Medicare Advantage plans, following passage of the…
Chairperson's File
Public
The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring big changes to health care. AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack joined me for a Leadership Dialogue…