The notice you should get
When you're admitted as an inpatient, the hospital must give you "An Important Message from Medicare about Your Rights" within 2 days of admission, and again before you leave. It explains your right to appeal and how to reach the BFCC-QIO. In Oklahoma that's Acentra Health. Keep the notice; it has the details you'll need.
How to ask for a fast appeal
- Tell your doctor and the hospital you disagree. Ask why they think you're ready and whether follow-up care is arranged.
- Call Acentra Health right away. Dial 1-888-315-0636 (TTY 711) no later than the day you're scheduled to leave, before you leave the hospital. Have your Medicare number and the notice handy.
- Get the hospital's explanation. After you appeal, the hospital gives you a detailed notice explaining why it plans to discharge you.
- Wait for the decision. Acentra's doctors review your records and decide within one day after they have the information they need. You can stay while they review.
- If you disagree with Acentra's decision. Follow the instructions in its decision letter to ask for the next level of review.
Tip: A family member or friend can call for you if you name them as your representative. Rural Oklahomans transferred to a hospital in Oklahoma City or Tulsa have the same rights, wherever the hospital is.
Other care that's ending
| Care | Notice | Deadline to call Acentra |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital inpatient stay | Important Message from Medicare | By your planned discharge day |
| Skilled nursing, home health, hospice or outpatient rehabilitation (CORF) | Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage, at least 2 days before services end | By noon the day before the end date on the notice |
Related questions
How do I appeal a Medicare denial?
Claims and plan denials.
How can I help a parent with Medicare?
Speaking up for a parent.
Medicare phone numbers for Oklahoma
Official numbers.
More in Medicare appeals in Oklahoma and Oklahoma Medicare contacts.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Fast appeals (hospital discharge and services ending)
- Acentra Health — BFCC-QIO, Oklahoma
- CMS — Beneficiary and Family Centered Care QIOs
More questions in this guide
- How can I help my parent with Medicare in Oklahoma?
- How do I appeal a Medicare denial in Oklahoma?
- How do I find a licensed insurance agent for Medicare in Oklahoma?
- How do I report Medicare fraud in Oklahoma?
- What are the Medicare phone numbers for Oklahoma?
- Where is the Social Security office near me in Oklahoma?
Part of the guide: Oklahoma Medicare contacts · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay for the extra days while the appeal is reviewed?
Medicare.gov says that if you ask on time, you can stay in the hospital while you wait and generally won't pay for the stay, apart from your usual coinsurance or deductibles. If Acentra agrees you're ready, you may owe for days after the decision.
Does this work with a Medicare Advantage plan?
Yes. People in Original Medicare and in Medicare Advantage plans both get the Important Message from Medicare and can ask the BFCC-QIO for a fast appeal of a hospital discharge.
What if I miss the deadline?
You can still ask Acentra Health to review, but different rules and timeframes apply, and you may have to pay for hospital days after your original discharge date.
What about a nursing home or home health ending?
You'll get a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage at least 2 days before covered skilled nursing, home health, hospice or rehabilitation services end. Call Acentra by noon of the day before the end date on the notice.
Medicare in your Oklahoma county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Oklahoma · Tulsa · Cleveland · Canadian · Comanche · Rogers · Wagoner · Payne · Pottawatomie · Creek · Muskogee · Garfield · Grady · Washington · Logan · Bryan · Le Flore · Carter · Cherokee · McClain · All 77 counties →