A Congressional briefing on “observation status,” sponsored by Congressman Joe Courtney (D. CT), was held yesterday afternoon to examine Medicare beneficiaries’ being denied Medicare coverage for care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) when their prior stay in an acute care hospital is labeled “outpatient observation” rather than inpatient. The Center for Medicare Advocacy organized and chaired the briefing for Congressional staff. A broad coalition of organizations urged Congress to support pending legislation which would ensure a full and fair Medicare program. See the full CMA article here…