The origin and disposition of Medicare observation stays.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Growing use of hospital observation care continues unabated despite growing concerns from Medicare beneficiaries, patient advocacy groups, providers, and policy makers. Unlike inpatient stays, outpatient observation stays are subject to 20% coinsurance and do not count toward the 3-day stay required for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. Despite the policy relevance, we know little about where patients originate or their discharge disposition following observation stays, making it difficult to understand the scope of unintended consequences for beneficiaries, particularly those needing postacute care in a SNF.

Objective

To determine Medicare beneficiaries' location immediately preceding and following an observation stay.

Research design</

SUBMITTER: Feng Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4134386 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature