A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE HOSPITALS TO NOTIFY MEDICARE PATIENTS WHO ARE ADMITTED FOR OBSERVATION ONLY WHETHER MEDICARE WILL COVER ANY DRUGS SUPPLIED BY THE HOSPITAL DURING THE OBSERVATION PERIOD.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Part 2 of Article 5 of Chapter 131E of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new section to read:
"§ 131E‑79.2.  Notice of prescription drug noncoverage by Medicare.
A hospital licensed  pursuant to this Chapter or Chapter 122C of the General Statutes shall provide notice to a patient who is covered by Medicare and admitted to the hospital for observation only, whether Medicare will cover prescription or nonprescription drugs provided by the hospital during the period of observation. The hospital shall provide this information before the individual is admitted for observation. The notice shall also indicate whether the hospital will permit the administration of the patient's own prescribed or over‑the‑counter drugs during the observation period, and, if not, the rate the hospital will charge for providing prescription or nonprescription drugs during the observation period."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2007.