CMS-10611 MOON Form

(Hospitals may include contact information or logo here)

Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice
Patient name:

Patient number:

You’re a hospital outpatient receiving observation services. You are not an inpatient
because:

Being an outpatient may affect what you pay in a hospital:
•

When you’re a hospital outpatient, your observation stay is covered under Medicare Part B.

•

For Part B services, you generally pay:
o A copayment for each outpatient hospital service you get. Part B copayments may
vary by type of service.
o 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, after the Part B
deductible.

Observation services may affect coverage and payment of your care after you leave
the hospital:
•

If you need skilled nursing facility (SNF) care after you leave the hospital, Medicare Part A
will only cover SNF care if you’ve had a 3-day minimum, medically necessary, inpatient
hospital stay for a related illness or injury. An inpatient hospital stay begins the day the
hospital admits you as an inpatient based on a doctor’s order and doesn’t include the day
you’re discharged.

•

If you have Medicaid, a Medicare Advantage plan or other health plan, Medicaid or the
plan may have different rules for SNF coverage after you leave the hospital. Check with
Medicaid or your plan.

NOTE: Medicare Part A generally doesn’t cover outpatient hospital services, like an
observation stay. However, Part A will generally cover medically necessary inpatient
services if the hospital admits you as an inpatient based on a doctor’s order. In most cases,
you’ll pay a one-time deductible for all of your inpatient hospital services for the first 60 days
you’re in a hospital.

If you have any questions about your observation services, ask the hospital staff member giving you
this notice or the doctor providing your hospital care. You can also ask to speak with someone from
the hospital’s utilization or discharge planning department.
You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Form CMS 10611-MOON

Expiration xx/xx/20xx OMB approval 0938-1308

(Hospitals may include contact information or logo here)

Your costs for medications:
Generally, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including “self-administered drugs,” you get in a
hospital outpatient setting (like an emergency department) aren’t covered by Part B. “Selfadministered drugs” are drugs you’d normally take on your own. For safety reasons, many hospitals
don’t allow you to take medications brought from home. If you have a Medicare prescription drug
plan (Part D), your plan may help you pay for these drugs. You’ll likely need to pay out-of- pocket for
these drugs and submit a claim to your drug plan for a refund. Contact your drug plan for more
information.

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health
plan (Part C), your costs and coverage may be different. Check with your plan to find out about
coverage for outpatient observation services.
If you’re a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary through your state Medicaid program, you can’t be
billed for Part A or Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Additional Information (Optional):

Please sign below to show you received and understand this notice.

Signature of Patient or Representative

Date

/

Time

You have the right to get Medicare information in an accessible format, like large print, Braille, or
audio. You also have the right to file a complaint if you feel you’ve been discriminated against. Visit
Medicare.gov/about-us/accessibility-nondiscrimination-notice, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227) for more information. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Form CMS 10611-MOON

Expiration xx/xx/20xx OMB approval 0938-1308