Leave of Absence

20.1.2 - Leave of Absence (Rev. 1, 10-01-03) A3-3103.3, A3-3135.3, HO-216.3, SNF-242.3 The day on which the patient began a leave of absence is treated as a day of discharge, and is not counted as an inpatient day unless the patient returns to the facility by midnight of the same day. The day the patient returns to the hospital or SNF from a leave of absence is treated as a day of admission and is counted as an inpatient day if the patient is present at midnight of that day. Refer to the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 3, “Inpatient Hospital Services,” or the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 6, “SNF Inpatient Billing,” as appropriate, for reporting inpatient leave of absence on the Medicare claim.