Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice: Public Comment Period Ends September 1

The public has until September 1 to comment on the revised Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The information collection requirements are not effective until approved under a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We expect PRA approval around the time the implementing regulations, part of the FY 2017 Inpatient Prospective Payment System final rule, are effective. Hospitals and critical access hospitals should begin using the MOON no later than 90 calendar days from the date of final PRA approval by OMB. View the draft MOON and instructions on how to submit comments on the the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) PRA webpage. CMS will provide additional information related to MOON implementation on its Beneficiary Notices Initiative (BNI) webpage when the MOON is approved and in a Health Plan Management System memorandum to Medicare Advantage plans.