Important Message from Medicare

Beneficiary Helpline: 1.800.727.7086

Each time you are admitted for an inpatient hospital stay, you have many forms to read and sign. One of the most important forms you receive as a Medicare beneficiary explains your rights while you are a hospital patient.

This is "An Important Message From Medicare About Your Rights." You or a family member should keep this document available at all times when you are in the hospital. It explains your rights to receive all medically necessary care, and to be fully informed of all decisions made regarding your hospital stay. It also informs you to report any concerns that you have about the quality of care you receive to the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO).

The Important Message from Medicare also provides you with steps to appeal your discharge from the hospital, if you think you are being discharged too soon. If you disagree with your discharge, you must call the QIO no later than your planned discharge date to request an appeal.

 

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.