From Dr. Vliet's Radio Show: "Medicare Under Attack," America's Fabric, March 16, 2014:
"More and more hospitals are keeping patients in the hospital under the designation "under observation" without telling patients that this can mean thousands of dollars in out of pocket costs for the patient. Only "inpatient status" designation is covered under Medicare Part A. "Observation status" means Medicare part A does not cover the hospital stay! Patients are learning after discharge that they face an exorbitant hospital bill, and increased co-payments for medications, procedures, and tests. Observation status also means that rehab services or skilled nursing care needed after discharge will not be covered by Medicare, leaving patients with huge bills for these services as well. Medicare currently requires patients to have at least three days of "inpatient status" in the hospital to qualify for recovery times in a skilled nursing or rehab facility.