Elizabeth Miller spent four days at her local hospital, but for two of those days, her status was “under observation.” In order for Medicare to cover skilled nursing care after her discharge, Ms. Miller would have had to have spent three full days in the hospital under inpatient care.
GoodNow insurance agent Jerry Faulkner said it is necessary for elderly patients to have advocates with them in the hospital who can help look out for their best interests and ask physicians important questions.
“Asking questions, if you can’t have someone, a relative or somebody, maybe somebody that’s got the power of attorney for their health. Ask doctors, ask ‘Is she under observation, are you going to admit her?’ You want to do something within a certain period of time,” Mr. Faulkner told Fox Illinois.
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