Hospital Discharge Appeals

Hospitals must notify Medicare beneficiaries of their rights as a hospital patient, including an opportunity to appeal the decision to be formally released or discharged from inpatient care. “Hospital” is defined as any facility that provides inpatient care, including short- and long-term acute care; critical access; psychiatric and rehabilitation. Hospitals must use “An Important Message from Medicare About Your Rights” to explain these rights.

Final versions of “An Important Message from Medicare About Your Rights” (CMS-R-193) and “Detailed Notice of Discharge” (CMS 10066) are posted at www.cms.hhs.gov/bni. Click “Hospital Discharge Appeal Notices.”

Manual instructions are posted in the Medicare Claims Processing Manual (Pub 100-04) Chapter 30, Section 200 at www.cms.hhs.gov.

In Georgia, the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) contact information for “An Important Message From Medicare About Your Rights” is:

Georgia Medical Care Foundation
1-800-982-0411 ext 3413
TTY/TDD 1-877-486-2048