Admitting a patient "to" observation or "for" observation--what is the difference?

Coding and billing of a patient placed in "observation" status can be confusing, especially in a busy Emergency Department. If physicians know the rules related to observation status, they can avoid denials or accusations of false claims. Documenting either "admit to observation" or "admit for observation" can be interpreted differently for admission status and billing services. From a billing prospective, writing "admit for observation" would be interpreted as an inpatient admission (if the documentation throughout the medical record is consistent with inpatient status). If the order states "admit to observation," this normally would be interpreted as an order for outpatient observation. Physicians are encouraged to write admission orders that clearly state the level of services intended; for example, wording such as "place in outpatient observation" or "admit as inpatient," to clearly convey the physician's intent.