Medicare Beneficiary Rights
The Iowa Foundation for Medical Care, Iowa’s Medicare quality improvement organization, is contracted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure Medicare beneficiaries get the best possible health care. Everyone with Medicare has the right to:
Be admitted to the hospital when it is medically necessary
If a Medicare beneficiary is told by a hospital that Medicare will not pay for their hospitalization they should:
- Discuss the situation with their doctor
- Ask for a written Notice of Non-coverage from the hospital
- Call IFMC to request an appeal
Receive good quality health care
If a Medicare beneficiary has concerns about the quality of care they received from any Medicare provider they may contact IFMC to file a complaint.
Stay in the hospital until it is medically safe to leave
Medicare pays the hospital based on the medical problem; not the length of the hospital stay. If a beneficiary is told they must leave the hospital before they feel they are well enough, they should:
- Talk to their doctor about the decision
- Ask the hospital for a Notice of Non-coverage
- Call IFMC if they wish to request an appeal
Receive a notice of non-coverage at least two days before hospice, outpatient comprehensive rehabilitation, home health or skilled nursing providers terminate services.
If a beneficiary disagrees with the discharge notice they can call IFMC to request a review of the termination of services.