Medicare provides a range of benefits for outpatient and inpatient care. But, an effort to prevent premature discharges from hospital stays has resulted in unintended consequences that can cost the patient thousands of dollars. We include information about this glitch in our Educational Workshops. NPR offers some even more detail. Some have found it effective to repeatedly insist on being admitted. A good reason to have a friend or relative as an advocate when going to the ER.