§ 2805-W — Patient notice of observation services

§ 2805-w. Patient notice of observation services. 1. Every general\nhospital shall provide patients who are placed into observation services\nby such general hospital with an oral and written notice within\ntwenty-four hours of such placement that the patient is not admitted to\nthe hospital and is under observation status. Such written notice shall\nbe signed by the patient or the patient's legal representative to\nacknowledge receipt and shall include, but not be limited to, the\nfollowing information:\n (a) a statement that observation status may affect the patient's\nMedicare, Medicaid and/or private insurance coverage for the current\nhospital services, including medications and other pharmaceutical\nsupplies, as well as coverage for any subsequent discharge to a skilled\nnursing facility or home and community based care; and\n (b) that the patient should contact his or her insurance plan to\nbetter understand the implications of being placed in observation\nstatus.\n 2. The commissioner shall develop and make available guidance on the\nnotice as described in this section.\n