[BenLurkin]

Fedguv to old Americans: “Just die, already.”

[Steely Tom]

“Ah, ye SUCKERS!”

[databoss]

Just a minor oversight...I am sure Boehner and company is on it...

[House Atreides]

This sounds like the type of hospital “policy” that Michelle Obama would have promoted in her Chicago gig—screw the patients and maximize net money to the hospital.

[rhubarbk]

Been there, done that.

[Gritty]

Those old geezers just ought to shut up and die and let that wasted money and care go to those who deserve it and need it for free. Oh, wait a minute. One of those 'old geezers' is me...

[Red_Devil 232]

BFL

[Buckeye McFrog]

We know you are sick, but the Medicare bureaucracy has officially classified you as “less than well”.

[Chickensoup]

Our hospital now has many obs beds just for this reason. The gov is determined to part the elderly from their assets.

The gov punishes the hospitals financially for having too many elderly hospital admissions. So the hospitals are motivated.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I don’t think that applies to Medicare Advantage. My Mom’s insurance has a 24 hour “observation” outpatient clause. After 24 hours you are formally admitted to the hospital.

[grania]

I’m wondering if it’s best to have an on-call arrangement with a lawyer whenever one enters a hospital. Not just to get admitted, but to get out in a way to minimize personal expenses.

[lonevoice]

When you are hospitalized, ask whether you have been officially admitted. If you are under observation, try to get your status changed -- especially if the doctor thinks you are in for extensive tests and may need some nursing care. "The best thing you can do is to get your own doctor to go to bat for you," Edelman says.

Good information to have at hand for anyone who is on Medicare.

[Sergio]

bkmk