Re: Hospitals Charging for Patient Meals?

[Guest guest]

Room and board (including meals) are included in hospital charges to medicare /

insurance rates so I don't know how this practice can be legal unless they are

claiming it as an outpatient expense.  Observation status is classified as

outpatient if stay is less than 24 hours hours.

 

P. Hall, MHA, MS, RD, LD, CDE

________________________________

To: " rd-usa " <rd-usa >

Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 1:01 PM

Subject: RE: Hospitals Charging for Patient Meals?

 

I have never heard of this but if things continue the way they are heading, I

wouldn't be surprised if we started charging for meals! When I see the amount

of food that some patients order.......they are either feeding their family OR

they are stocking up for the winter. Will be interested in seeing what other

people post on this subject.

From: mailto:rd-usa%40yahoogroups.com [mailto:mailto:rd-usa%40yahoogroups.com]

On Behalf Of mimco_2000

Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 4:14 PM

To: mailto:rd-usa%40yahoogroups.com

Subject: Hospitals Charging for Patient Meals?

After a visit to the ER, my son was admitted to the hospital for emergency

surgery this last weekend. He was not offered anything to eat or drink during

his short stay, 24 hours, until several hours before discharge. He was then

handed a menu with prices to order from room service. Oatmeal and a muffin was

$10. He was told that patients are charged for all meals. Is this a horrible new

trend? I can't find anything on line.

Mavis , RDLD