Does Medicare keep paying if I appeal my parent's discharge

Use the free tool — Hospital Discharge Appeal

Yes — Medicare keeps paying while the review happens

If your parent is a Medicare patient and the hospital says it's time to discharge, there is a fast-appeal right most families never use. Once you call the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), an independent doctor reviews the case. While that review is happening, Medicare keeps paying — the hospital cannot bill for those days.

The clock starts with the "Important Message from Medicare"

The hospital gave, or must give, a notice called the "Important Message from Medicare" (IM). That notice starts a deadline.

You must call the QIO by noon of the day after you receive the discharge notice.
The notice's own wording and the QIO control the exact deadline — this is not legal advice.

Who to call in Florida

Florida's QIO is Acentra Health (KEPRO): 1-888-317-0751. SHINE can also help: 1-800-963-5337.

The QIO contractor for Florida may change. Confirm the number on the IM notice itself, or check with the hospital or agency.

What the hospital must give you in writing

The hospital must deliver a "Detailed Notice of Discharge." This document explains why the hospital believes discharge is appropriate.

If you lose the first review

If the QIO doctor's decision does not go your way, there is a second level: an expedited reconsideration.

Does this apply to Medicare Advantage?

Yes. The same QIO right applies to Medicare Advantage plans, not just original Medicare.

What this is not

This explanation comes from federal Medicare rules (42 CFR 405.1205–405.1206) and CMS notices — the "Important Message from Medicare" (CMS-10065) and the "Detailed Notice of Discharge" (CMS-10066), as of 2025–26. It is not medical or legal advice, and no one can see your parent's medical chart from a description like this. Always confirm the exact deadline and current QIO number with the hospital or agency. For a Medicare denial or an ANOC letter, that's a different situation — a separate tool, Medicare Decoder, covers that.

What to do next

Type the date you received the notice, the planned discharge date, the Medicare type, and why your parent isn't ready. The free tool, Hospital Discharge Appeal, reads your own dates and situation and computes the deadline, gives you the Florida QIO number, the exact words to say, and what the hospital owes you in writing. It is free, no lawyer needed. It does not call the QIO for you, and it makes no promise about storing what you type beyond being free to use.

Use the free tool

Hospital Discharge Appeal is an informational tool based on 42 CFR 405.1205–405.1206, the CMS 'Important Message from Medicare' (CMS-10065) and 'Detailed Notice of Discharge' (CMS-10066) as of 2025–26. It is not medical, legal or benefits advice, cannot see the chart, and does not contact the QIO for you. The QIO contractor for Florida may change; verify the number on the IM notice. It is not affiliated with CMS, any hospital or QIO.