Outpatient Observation Stays

TRICARE covers outpatient observation stays to determine if you need to be admitted to the hospital. Covered outpatient observation stays include the use of a bed and periodic monitoring by hospital staff.

Outpatient observation stays shouldn’t exceed 23 hours, but up to 48 hours may be authorized by your TRICARE contractor when medically necessary . Time spent in a recovery room after surgery isn’t included in the outpatient 23-hour limit.

You’re considered to be an inpatient if:

• You’re formally admitted to the hospital.
• You’ll remain at least overnight or if the observation period lasts more than 48 hours.  

See Also

• Same-Day Surgery