Medicare Program: Appeal Rights for Certain Changes in Patient Status

On December 21, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule to implement Medicare appeals processes for hospital patients whose status during their stay changes from inpatient to observation. The proposed rule sets forth new appeals procedures to implement the court order in Alexander v. Azar which directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish both standard and expedited appeals for class members in the case. 

Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted through Monday, February 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Click here to access the proposed rule.