Am I an inpatient or outpatient?

Asked by: Prof. Kathryn Feeney  |  Last update: October 15, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (20 votes)

An inpatient is a hospital patient who, in most cases, stays in the hospital overnight and meets a set of clinical criteria. Outpatients are people who receive care or hospital services and return home the same day.

How do you know if you are inpatient or outpatient?

What's the main difference between inpatient and outpatient care? Generally speaking, inpatient care requires you to stay in a hospital and outpatient care does not.

What qualifies as an inpatient stay?

The decision for inpatient hospital admission is a complex medical decision based on your doctor's judgment and your need for medically necessary hospital care. An inpatient admission is generally appropriate when you're expected to need 2 or more midnights of medically necessary hospital care.

Were you an inpatient or outpatient?

Inpatient means that you're treated in hospital and you stay overnight. You're admitted to hospital, and you would have a bed. Most health insurance covers inpatient care. Outpatient means you're not admitted to hospital for the day, and you don't stay overnight.

How do you recognize the difference between outpatient and inpatient medical documents?

What is the difference between inpatient and outpatient medical records? The difference isn't the “medical record" — both services are stored in your medical record. The difference is in the service provided. Outpatient means you didn't stay at the facility at least overnight.

Hospital Admissions: Inpatient vs. Outpatient Explained - Partners for Truth in Healthcare

41 related questions found

How do you identify an inpatient?

An inpatient is a hospital patient who, in most cases, stays in the hospital overnight and meets a set of clinical criteria. Outpatients are people who receive care or hospital services and return home the same day.

How do you identify an outpatient?

Outpatient care, also called ambulatory or day patient care, does not require hospitalization. An outpatient visits a hospital, clinic, or similar facility for diagnosis, treatment, or a procedure, and then is free to leave.

Am I an outpatient?

You're an outpatient if you're getting emergency department services, observation services, outpatient surgery, lab tests, or X-rays, and the doctor hasn't written an order to admit you to the hospital as an inpatient. In these cases, you're an outpatient even if you spend the night at the hospital.

When should I consider inpatient?

If your mental health symptoms have become severe or are worsening despite outpatient treatment, it may be time to consider inpatient care. This includes persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety or hopelessness that interfere with daily functioning.

What is an example of an outpatient?

Outpatient care examples
  • X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and other types of imaging.
  • Lab tests, such as bloodwork.
  • Minor surgeries, particularly ones that use less invasive techniques.
  • Colonoscopies.
  • Mammograms.
  • Consultations or follow-ups with a specialist.
  • Routine physical exams.

How many hours is considered inpatient stay?

Inpatient services defined

Physicians are recommended to use a 24-hour period as a benchmark when making a determination on an inpatient admission. However, admissions are not deemed covered, or non-covered, solely on the basis of the length of time the patient actually spends in the hospital.

How do you qualify for inpatient?

To qualify for care in an inpatient rehabilitation facility, your doctor must state that your medical condition requires the following:
  1. Intensive rehabilitation.
  2. Continued medical supervision.
  3. Coordinated care from your doctors and therapists working together.

Is home health inpatient or outpatient?

The main difference between inpatient, outpatient, and in-home care is that inpatient care requires staying at a hospital or facility, outpatient care involves visiting a medical facility for treatment without overnight stays, while in-home care provides medical services in the patient's home.

What is the 2 midnight rule?

Under the Two-Midnight Rule, CMS generally considered it inappropriate to receive payment under the inpatient prospective payment system for stays not expected to span at least two midnights.

Is childbirth considered inpatient or outpatient?

Inpatient care tends to include more serious surgeries, procedures and care that require at least 1 overnight stay. Sometimes these visits are planned (like having a baby) and other times they're not (like breaking a major bone). Inpatient care is needed for things like: Childbirth.

Can you go from inpatient to outpatient?

In some instances, patients are admitted as hospital inpatients but upon review it is determined that the patient does not meet inpatient criteria. If the determination occurs prior to discharge, and other criteria are met, the status may be changed to outpatient.

What is the 3 day rule inpatient?

The 3-day rule requires the patient to have a medically necessary 3-consecutive-day inpatient hospital stay, which doesn't include the discharge day or pre-admission time in the emergency department (ED) or outpatient observation.

When should you admit yourself to inpatient?

If you are suicidal or homicidal, you should check yourself into a mental hospital. If you are actively hallucinating or if you are unable to get your mood swings under control in an outpatient setting, then inpatient treatment is probably appropriate.

How do I know if I need an inpatient?

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, mania or severe depression, it might be time to seek inpatient treatment. Other signs that you might need inpatient treatment include: You have been through several outpatient treatments without any improvement.

Will insurance pay if you leave the hospital without being discharged?

In most situations, leaving AMA does not automatically negate insurance coverage for the care you received before deciding to leave. Health insurance providers generally process claims based on the medical necessity of the services rendered up to the point of discharge, not on the circumstances of your departure.

How much does Medicare pay for an inpatient hospital stay?

Days 1–60: (of each benefit period): $0 after you meet your Part A deductible ($1,676). Days 61–90: (of each benefit period): $419 each day. In Original Medicare, these are additional days that Medicare will pay for when you're in a hospital for more than 90 days.

How many hours is considered outpatient?

Outpatient care is defined as hospital or medical facility care that you receive without being admitted or for a stay of less than 24 hours (even if this stay occurs overnight). Outpatient care also includes any health care services that you receive while at the facility.

Am I inpatient or outpatient?

The big difference between outpatient and inpatient is simply that — the “out” and the “in.” With outpatient care, you're able to resume your life and responsibilities and live at home while you go through your program. Inpatient care requires staying at a residential facility with round-the-clock supervision.

What is considered an inpatient?

Inpatient care is when a patient is kept overnight (or more than 24 hours) in a healthcare facility. Inpatient care requires beds, and bed use often tracks occupancy. Inpatient care may include treatment-related admittance, observation, or both.

What are the three types of outpatient?

Three types of outpatient care include primary care, ambulatory surgical care, and urgent care.
  • 1 Primary Care. I. ...
  • 2 Ambulatory Surgery Centers. ...
  • 3 Urgent Care.