June 23, 2025
The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act has been reintroduced by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) as H.R. 3954 in the House. The bipartisan legislation aims to correct a longstanding issue in Medicare policy that impacts thousands of beneficiaries each year.
Currently, Medicare requires a three-day inpatient hospital stay for patients to qualify for skilled nursing facility (SNF) coverage. However, time spent under "observation status" does not count toward that requirement, even if the patient is receiving hospital-level care. As a result, many older adults are left responsible for high out-of-pocket costs or are denied access to needed post-acute care.
This bill would allow observation days to count toward the three-day requirement, closing a significant gap in Medicare coverage and protecting patients from unnecessary financial and care burdens.
PALTmed has long supported this legislation as a necessary step toward ensuring fairness and access to medically necessary care.
Contact your representative today to ask for their support of H.R. 3954.
