CMS releases updated MOON

January 14, 2020
Medicare Web

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) renewed the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) on January 7, according to CMS.

The updated MOON is essentially unchanged from its current version. Only the expiration date differs. Hospitals will be required to use the new MOON beginning April 1, 2020. The previous version can be used through March 31, 2020.

The MOON was developed in order to inform Medicare beneficiaries when they are receiving outpatient observation services and are not considered inpatients of the hospital or critical access hospital (CAH). It has not undergone significant changes since its implementation in February 2017.

The basics of the form remain the same in the latest update. Hospitals are required to issue the MOON, both verbally and in writing, to any Medicare beneficiary who receives 24 hours of services. The notice must be delivered no later than 36 hours following initiation of observation.

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