Observation status means you are technically an outpatient — this affects Medicare coverage for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care afterward

You need 3 consecutive inpatient days for Medicare to cover SNF care — observation days do NOT count

Ask your doctor if inpatient admission is appropriate for your condition

Medicareeasy

Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON)

CMS-10611 · CMS

Must be given to patients in outpatient observation status for more than 24 hours, explaining they are not admitted as inpatients and the financial implications.

Form Details

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Where to Submit This Form

🏢

Provided to you by the hospital

The hospital must give you this notice within 36 hours of receiving outpatient observation services.

Required Attachments

📎 Your signature acknowledging receipt of the notice
📎 No additional attachments required from the beneficiary

Processing Time

Informational notice — no processing time. The notice explains your status and potential financial implications.

What Happens Next

This is an informational notice. You can ask the hospital to change your status to inpatient if clinically appropriate. You can also request your physician order inpatient admission.

Tips for This Form

✓ Observation status means you are technically an outpatient — this affects Medicare coverage for skilled nursing facility (SNF) care afterward
✓ You need 3 consecutive inpatient days for Medicare to cover SNF care — observation days do NOT count
✓ Ask your doctor if inpatient admission is appropriate for your condition
✓ You may be responsible for higher copays under outpatient observation than under inpatient admission

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