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How many hours do I have to appeal a Medicare hospital discharge
Use the free tool — Hospital Discharge Appeal
How Many Hours Do You Really Have?
When a Medicare hospital patient is being discharged, the hospital gives (or must give) a notice called the "Important Message from Medicare" (IM). That notice starts a clock. You must call the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) by noon of the day after you receive that notice. This is not a guess or a rule of thumb — it is the deadline described in the material behind this tool, based on 42 CFR 405.1205–405.1206 and CMS form CMS-10065.
What Happens When You Call
Once you call the QIO, here is what the material says happens:
- An independent doctor reviews the case — not the hospital's own doctor.
- Medicare keeps paying during that review.
- The hospital cannot bill for those days while the review is happening.
- The hospital must give you a written "Detailed Notice of Discharge" (CMS-10066) explaining why they believe discharge is appropriate.
No lawyer is required, and there is no cost to you to file this fast appeal.
Who to Call in Florida
Florida's QIO is Acentra Health (KEPRO), at 1-888-317-0751. SHINE, Florida's free Medicare counseling program, can also help at 1-800-963-5337.
Confirm the exact number on your own IM notice or with the hospital — the QIO contractor for Florida can change, and the notice you were given controls.
Does This Apply to Medicare Advantage?
Yes. The material states the same QIO right applies whether the patient has original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
What This Tool Can and Can't Do
- It is not medical or legal advice.
- It cannot see the patient's medical chart.
- It does not call the QIO for you — you make that call.
- It computes the deadline from the date you type, but the notice's own wording and the QIO control the actual, final deadline.
- For a Medicare denial letter or an ANOC (Annual Notice of Change), this is the wrong tool — use Medicare Decoder instead.
What to Do Next
This free tool reads the dates and details you type — when you received the notice, the planned discharge date, the type of Medicare coverage, and why the patient isn't ready — and gives you back the computed deadline, the Florida QIO number, the exact script to use on the phone, and a plain list of what the hospital owes you in writing. Always confirm the final date and current QIO number with the hospital or a professional before relying on them.
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.