MO HB599

Requires hospitals to provide oral and written notice to patients placed in outpatient observation status for more than 23 consecutive hours, explaining billing implications and impact on Medicare, MO HealthNet, and private insurance coverage for hospital services and subsequent skilled nursing facility or home care

Written notice must be signed and dated by both the patient (or legal representative) and the hospital staff person delivering the notification

Hospitals must train staff who communicate observation status so they can adequately respond to patient and family inquiries about billing and Medicare eligibility implications

Hospitals are not held responsible for notice requirements if a patient's inpatient stay is later recategorized during or after receiving services

The act automatically expires if the federal government amends 42 CFR 409.30(a)(1) to eliminate or modify the Medicare three-day qualifying hospital stay requirement, with the Department of Social Services publishing notice in the Missouri Register