The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Jan. 20 posted updated instructions for the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON). The instructions provide hospitals guidance for proper issuance of the MOON.
The MOON is intended to inform Medicare beneficiaries they are considered outpatients if they receive observation services for more than 24 hours. Hospitals are required to deliver the MOON to patients no later than 36 hours after observation services begin. Although the instructions go into effect Feb. 7, 2017, all hospitals and critical access hospitals must implement the standardized MOON form by March 8, 2017.