TN 6 (10-22)

HI 00601.075 Late Discharge

When a patient chooses to continue to occupy their hospital accommodations beyond the check-out time for personal reasons, the hospital may charge the beneficiary for their continued stay. Such a stay beyond the checkout time, for the comfort or convenience of the patient, is not covered under the program and the hospital's agreement to participate in the program does not preclude it from charging the patient. However, it is expected that hospitals will not impose late charges on a beneficiary unless they have been given reasonable notice (for example, 24 hours) of their impending discharge.

Where the patient's medical condition is the cause of the stay past the check-out time (e.g., the patient needs further services, is bedridden and awaiting transportation to their home or to an SNF, or dies in the hospital), the stay beyond the discharge hour is covered under the program and the hospital may not charge the patient.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0600601075
HI 00601.075 - Late Discharge - 10/25/2022
Batch run: 10/25/2022
Rev:10/25/2022