This presentation will help risk managers better understand Medicare rules governing patient admission status (inpatient vs. outpatient/observation) and the current threat of RAC audits on this issue; the Case Management Assignment Protocol approaches used successfully in demonstration projects, but not yet approved by CMS for general implementation; practical limitations on the use of CMAP approaches under current interpretations of Medicare policy; and a CMAP-like approach that can be implemented consistent with the current interpretations offering significant compliance benefits.