Meal Reimbursement for Medicare Part B Patients

We recently received clarification from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the Medicare Program does not cover meal reimbursement in an outpatient observation unit or other outpatient settings of a hospital or Critical Access Hospital. Reimbursement for these services is provided under Part B of the Medicare Program, which does not include meals served to patients. This is in contrast to Medicare Part A, which provides for room, board and nursing services.

The lack of a meal benefit does not mean that a patient cannot be provided a meal, it simply means that Medicare cannot pay for any meals provided to outpatients. In cases where there is not a medical reason to not provide a meal, outpatient meals may be provided and the financially responsible party charged. Again, this is not considered a "covered outpatient" benefit under the Part B Program. The outpatient meals should be treated in accordance with the instructions for outpatient renal dialysis meals noted in the CMS Publication 15-2 Section 1212.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Audit Supervisor assigned to your facility. Refer to our Home Office Contacts page for names and phone numbers.

You can also find this information in our February 15, 2004, Medicare Newsletter.

Page Last Updated: Thursday, 21-Jul-2011 12:21:49 CDT