Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act (2011)

This bill would amend title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to deem an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital to be an inpatient with respect to satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital requirement in order to entitle the individual to Medicare coverage of any post-hospital extended care services in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Note: On 11/3/2011, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. and the National Senior Citizens Law Center filed a lawsuit seeking to end the use of "observational status" in hospitals.

Bill Number HR 1543

Sponsor Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT)

Date of Introduction 4/14/2011

Latest Activity 4/25/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

More Info http://thomas.loc.gov/

Suit Seeks to End Hospital "Observation Status"

Topic: Care Management/ Coordination/ Transitional Care