Medicare beneficiaries who have a hospital stay need to be aware of whether the stay is considered Inpatient or Observation.  The difference determines whether or not a follow up stay at a Skilled Nursing Facility will be covered by Medicare.  The following link is an article that describes how legislatures are trying to address this growing problem.  http://www.richmond.com/life/health/article_9644c6f8-ae4a-5f3a-a1d0-267fc2015327.html