There’s a new Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) form available, which hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAH) are required to use beginning Apr. 20, 2026.
As a reminder, hospitals and CAHs must give the standardized MOON form to individuals receiving observation services as outpatients for more than 24 hours. The form explains the individual’s status as an outpatient (rather than inpatient) and the implications that an outpatient status has for Medicare cost sharing and coverage for post-hospitalization skilled nursing facility (SNF) services.
Access the form: