The notice you should get
When you're admitted as an inpatient, the hospital must give you "An Important Message from Medicare about Your Rights" within 2 days of admission, and again before you leave if it gave you the first one more than 2 days before discharge. It explains your right to appeal and how to reach the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO). For Florida, that's Acentra Health. If you don't get the notice, ask for it.
How to ask for a fast appeal
- Tell your doctor and the hospital you disagree. Ask why they think you're ready and whether follow-up care, such as skilled nursing or home health, is arranged.
- Call Acentra Health before you leave. Dial 1-888-317-0751 (TTY 711) no later than the day you're scheduled to leave. Have your Medicare number and the notice handy.
- Get the hospital's explanation. By noon the day after Acentra Health notifies the hospital, the hospital gives you a "Detailed Notice of Discharge" explaining why it plans to discharge you.
- Wait for the decision. Acentra Health's doctor reviews your records and decides within one day after getting the information it needs. You don't have to leave while it reviews.
- If you disagree with the decision. Follow the instructions in the decision letter to ask for the next level of review.
Tip: A family member can call for you, and can file the appeal if you name them as your representative. If you're a snowbird hospitalized in Florida, the same rights apply; use the QIO phone number printed on the notice the hospital gives you.
Other care that's ending
| Care | Notice | Where to appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital inpatient stay | Important Message from Medicare | Acentra Health, by your planned discharge day |
| Skilled nursing, home health, hospice or outpatient rehabilitation (CORF) | Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage, at least 2 days before services end | Acentra Health, by noon the day before the end date on the notice |
| Being moved out of a Florida nursing home | Written notice of transfer or discharge, generally 30 days ahead | DCF's Office of Appeal Hearings, within 90 days (Fla. Stat. 400.0255) |
If you were admitted and then changed to "outpatient getting observation services," you can still ask for a fast appeal while you're in the hospital. A nursing home move-out notice is a Florida matter, separate from Medicare: asking for a hearing within 10 days of the notice lets the resident stay until the hearing decision, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (1-888-831-0404) can help.
Related questions
How do I appeal a Medicare denial in Florida?
Claims and plan denials.
How can I help my parent with Medicare in Florida?
Speaking up for a parent.
How do I complain about a Medicare agent in Florida?
When a sale goes wrong.
More in Medicare appeals in Florida and Florida Medicare contacts.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Fast appeals (hospital discharge and services ending)
- Acentra Health BFCC-QIO
- CMS — Beneficiary and Family Centered Care QIOs
- Fla. Stat. 400.0255 — Resident transfer or discharge; hearings
- Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
More questions in this guide
- How can I help my parent with Medicare in Florida as a caregiver?
- How do I check if a Medicare insurance agent is licensed in Florida?
- How do I file a complaint against a Medicare insurance agent in Florida?
- How do I appeal a Medicare denial in Florida?
- Why do I get so many calls to change my Medicare plan?
Part of the guide: Florida Medicare contacts · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay for the extra days while the appeal is reviewed?
Medicare.gov says that if you ask on time, you can stay in the hospital while you wait and won't pay for the stay, except usual coinsurance or deductibles. If Acentra Health agrees you're ready, you're covered through noon of the day after its decision.
Does this work with a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes. People in Original Medicare and in Medicare Advantage plans get the Important Message from Medicare and can ask Acentra Health for a fast appeal. If you're in a plan, Acentra Health notifies both the hospital and your plan.
What if I miss the deadline?
You can still ask Acentra Health to review your case, but different rules and time frames apply, and you might have to pay for hospital days after the original discharge date.
What about skilled nursing or home health ending?
You'll get a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage at least 2 days before covered skilled nursing, home health, hospice or outpatient rehabilitation services end. Call Acentra Health by noon of the day before the end date on the notice.
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