PHOENIX MEDICAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

In the December issue of CRM UPDATE, we reported that elder law attorneys and advocates note what they call a "disturbing trend in the treatment of Medicare beneficiaries."  They are referring to the increasing number of complaints from Medicare patients who report that their entire hospital stay was classified as observation and not as a hospital admission. 

Phoenix has been writing about this issue for many years and continues to counsel our clients accordingly.  Patients receiving observation services must be continuously informed about any implications, both clinical (none) and financial (substantial).  Case management programs would do well to access the new patient-friendly brochure and use it as is or as a resource to develop one specific for your organization.  Link to CMS