What should I do if the hospital asks me to leave before I feel ready?

Beneficiary Helpline: 1.800.727.7086

If a hospital representative informs you that you will be discharged before you are ready, you may request an appeal by Colorado Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC). You must request an appeal no later than your planned discharge date. The hospital should provide you with "An Important Message from Medicare About Your Rights" that provides written steps to appeal your discharge.

In the case where the hospital has informed you that they believe that your admission will not be covered by Medicare, you may request the hospital issue a "Hospital Issued Notice of Noncoverage," also known as a HINN. You need to request your review to CFMC as soon as you receive and sign the notice. The QIO will make a determination of the medical necessity and appropriateness of the hospitalization according to Medicare's rules. Your responsibility for payment will depend upon the outcome of the review.

If you do not request a review and the hospital provided you with an admission Notice of Noncoverage, the hospital can bill you for the cost of your stay.

 

Colorado Foundation for Medical Care (CFMC), the Medicare quality improvement organization for Colorado, prepared this material under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents do not necessarily reflect CMS Policy.