Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2026
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to count a period of receipt of outpatient observation services in a hospital toward satisfying the 3-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare.
This bill, known as the "Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2026," aims to make it easier for people on Medicare to qualify for skilled nursing facility services. Currently, to be eligible for these services, patients must spend at least three days as an inpatient in a hospital. This bill proposes to count time spent receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital as part of that required three-day stay. This change could help more people qualify for skilled nursing care after a hospital stay.
The bill would affect Medicare beneficiaries who need skilled nursing care following a hospital stay. By counting outpatient observation services towards the three-day requirement, it could make it easier for eligible individuals to receive the care they need without having to be formally admitted as an inpatient. This could be particularly helpful for those who receive observation services but do not meet the criteria for inpatient admission.
As of May 21, 2026, the bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. This is the initial step in the legislative process, where the bill will be reviewed and potentially marked up before moving forward for further consideration.
