Navigating a Hospital Stay: Know Your Rights & Options

A hospital stay can feel overwhelming, especially when decisions are made quickly and information is unclear. Whether you’re supporting a loved one or managing your own care, understanding your rights can help you feel more in control.
Below is a clear, step-by-step guide to three areas that often cause the most confusion: observation status, discharge planning, and appeal rights.

This guide is written by the team at Haven Healthcare Advocates, where registered nurses support patients and families through hospital stays, medical decisions, and care coordination.

Table of Contents

Why Hospital Status Matters

Many families are surprised to learn that two people may appear to be “admitted,” yet one is not considered an inpatient at all.

The term Observation Status is one of the most confusing parts of a hospital stay. Understanding it can prevent unexpected bills and help you make informed choices during discharge planning.

Status	Inpatient Status	Observation Status
How the hospital classifies you	Formally admitted to the hospital as an inpatient.	You are in the hospital for monitoring and tests, but not admitted.
Typical use	Used when doctors expect you will need several days of hospital care.	Often used for shorter stays or while doctors decide if admission is needed.
Medicare billing	Covered under Medicare Part A.	Covered under Medicare Part B, which may mean different out-of-pocket costs.
Skilled nursing facility (SNF) eligibility	Counts toward the 3-day inpatient requirement for Medicare-covered SNF care.	Does not count toward the 3-day inpatient requirement for SNF coverage.
What families should do	Ask for written confirmation of inpatient status and how it affects coverage.	Ask why observation status was chosen and whether a review or change is possible.

What this means for you

If you think you or your loved one should be admitted as an inpatient or the current status doesn’t line up with the level of care being given you have the right to ask questions. You can request a review and ask the hospital team to explain why the current status was chosen.

This is a key area where a hospital patient advocate can step in, review the chart, and speak with the care team on your behalf.

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Discharge Planning: What You Should Expect

Discharge planning often feels rushed. You may be told your loved one is “ready to go home today,” even when that doesn’t feel safe or realistic. Many caregivers tell us they felt pressured, unsure, or left without a clear plan.

You do not have to accept a discharge that feels unsafe.

A safe discharge plan should include:

1. A clear explanation of the diagnosis

2. Medications and changes

3. Follow-up instructions

4. Warning signs to watch for

5. Whether home is truly safe

6. Whether rehab or skilled nursing is needed

7. Any equipment or support required at home

If something seems unclear or incomplete, you are allowed to slow the process down and ask for clarification. You can request a case manager, ask for updates from the care team, or involve a hospital advocate to speak on your behalf.

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When You Have the Right to Appeal a Discharge

If Medicare or the insurance plan decides your hospital stay or rehab stay should end and you disagree you can file an immediate appeal.

This is time-sensitive, and you must act quickly.

Common situations where an appeal may help:

1. You believe the patient is too weak to go home

2. The plan is denying rehab or ending it early

3. Skilled nursing days are being cut short

4. The patient still needs medical monitoring

5. The family does not have safe options at home

When you file an appeal correctly and within the required timeframe, coverage usually continues while the review takes place. Many families don’t know they can do this, or they aren’t sure how to start.

A hospital advocate can guide you through the steps, gather the needed information, and communicate with the insurance reviewer.

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How an RN Hospital Advocate Supports You

You should never feel alone in the hospital setting. Our team helps by:

1. Reviewing medical notes and updates

2. Clarifying hospital status

3. Attending care meetings

4. Speaking to the bedside team

5. Guiding families through discharge planning

6. Filing fast-turnaround appeals

7. Helping families understand what to expect next

Clear information leads to better choices. With support, families can push back when something doesn’t feel right and ask for the care their loved one needs.

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When to Contact Haven Healthcare Advocates

Reach out if you’re facing:

1. Confusing hospital status

2. A sudden or unsafe discharge plan

3. Questions about rehab approval

4. A denial from Medicare or an insurance plan

5. A new diagnosis and no guidance on next steps

6. Repeated miscommunication with the care team

Our RN advocates can step in quickly locally in Tampa Bay or virtually for patients outside the area.

Final Thoughts

A hospital stay shouldn't leave you feeling lost or unheard. When you understand your rights hospital status, discharge planning, and appeal options you gain more control over the situation. And when you have an RN advocate guiding the process, you’re no longer trying to figure it out alone.

If you need help today, we are here to support you and your family.

Helpful Resource: Free Hospital Stay Checklist

To help you stay organized during a hospital stay, we created a free downloadable guide that walks through the steps to prepare, questions to ask, and what to keep at your bedside. It includes a simple checklist you can use at home, in the hospital, or when supporting a loved one.

Download the free guide here

FAQ’s

• Where can I find a hospital’s policies?

  Most hospitals list their policies on their website under sections such as “Patient Rights,” “Hospital Policies,” “Compliance,” or “Visitor Information.”
  If you cannot locate them online, you can ask the admissions desk, unit clerk, or patient relations office for a printed copy.

• What are hospital policies and procedures?

  These are the rules hospitals follow to guide care, safety, communication, privacy, and treatment decisions. They cover areas such as:

  1. How care is delivered

  2. Infection control

  3. Staff responsibilities

  4. Patient rights and responsibilities

  5. Discharge planning

  6. Privacy and HIPAA compliance

  Policies help patients understand what they can expect during a hospital stay.

• Can patients use cell phones in the hospital?

  Yes, in most hospitals, cell phone use is allowed, except in certain areas that may interfere with medical equipment.
  Patients may be asked to silence their phones in:

  1. ICU

  2. Procedure areas

  3. Imaging departments

  If you’re unsure, ask a nurse. Many hospitals now encourage cell phone use for communication, telehealth, and keeping families updated.

• What is an example of a patient care policy?

  Common examples include:

  1. Pain management guidelines

  2. Fall-risk precautions

  3. Medication administration rules

  4. Visitation policies

  5. Discharge planning procedures

  These policies help set clear expectations for care, safety, and communication.

• What is a hospital cell phone policy?

  1. Lower your volume

  2. Avoid recording without permission

  3. Step into hallways for long calls

  4. Protect sensitive information

• What are the 10 rights of the patient?

  While the exact list can vary by hospital, these ten rights are widely recognized:

  1. The right to receive safe care

  2. The right to be treated with respect

  3. The right to understand your diagnosis and treatment

  4. The right to ask questions

  5. The right to accept or refuse care

  6. The right to know who is on your care team

  7. The right to privacy and confidentiality

  8. The right to pain assessment and relief

  9. The right to see your medical records

  10. The right to file a concern or complaint

• What are the 7 patient rights in healthcare?

  Many teaching programs use these seven:

  1. The right patient

  2. The right medication

  3. The right dose

  4. The right route

  5. The right time

  6. The right documentation

  7. The right to refuse

  These are often used in medication safety education.

• What are the 12 patient rights?

  Some hospitals use a 12-point list that includes:

  1. Dignity

  2. Respect

  3. Information

  4. Safety

  5. Access to care

  6. Participation in decisions

  7. Privacy

  8. Discharge information

  9. Continuity of care

  10. Language services

  11. Pain management

  12. Billing transparency

• Where can I find California Title 22 Patient Rights?

  You may request them from:

  1. The hospital’s admissions department

  2. Patient relations or patient experience team

  3. The California Department of Public Health website

  4. The hospital’s “Patient Rights” webpage

  Hospitals must provide these rights upon request.