|
Welcome
Your doctor has assigned you to an outpatient observation stay while you are in the hospital.
What is an outpatient observation stay? An outpatient observation stay is different than an inpatient hospital stay. During an outpatient observation stay you will be in a hospital room for observing and testing. This will allow us to keep caring for you in a more comfortable area.
Why am I not being admitted as an inpatient?
The outpatient observation stay lets your doctor do medical tests and give you care in the hospital setting. During this time we can decide if you need more care as an inpatient or if you can go home and see your doctor through office visits.
Will my insurance cover this? Outpatient observation stays are covered in a different way than inpatient hospital stays. All insurance plans have different benefits. You should check your insurance benefits or contact your insurance company about your coverage for an observation stay.
If you are having therapy during your observation stay, the therapist will share information about your insurance coverage for therapy.
|
What about my medications?
During your stay, medications will be supplied by the hospital. If you brought your medications with you it would be best to have friends or family take them home for you. If it is not possible to take the medications home, ask to have them securely stored by our Loss Prevention Department.
What if the hospital doesn’t carry my medication?
We will use similar medications while you are with us. In some cases your doctor or pharmacist may decide that you should use your own medications. Medications allowed from home should be in their original, labeled container.
Will an observation stay make a difference for my insurance benefits for a skilled nursing facility? Under Medicare, an observation stay does not qualify you for a skilled nursing facility. Medicare requires a three night inpatient stay for you to qualify for a skilled nursing facility. An observation stay is not considered an inpatient hospital stay. Medicare Replacement plans and other insurance plans may have different rules.
When will I be able to leave the hospital?
Your nurse and doctor will check your
progress often to help get you home as
soon as possible. Your doctor will decide when you have improved enough to go home. This may occur any time during the day or night. Please be sure you arrange to have someone take you home.
If you have any questions, please let your nurse know.
x27520(1/2022)
|