MO SB298

Hospitals must provide oral and written notice to patients placed in outpatient observation status for more than 23 consecutive hours, including 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 include specific warning language that observation status may affect coverage determinations and that final status decisions may be made after the patient leaves the hospital

Both the patient (or legal representative) and the hospital staff person must sign and date the written notice to acknowledge receipt

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

The law expires automatically if the federal government eliminates or modifies the Medicare three-day qualifying hospital stay requirement under 42 CFR 409.30(a)(1)