If you have a medical emergency, please go to the nearest hospital
EMTALA laws ensure you won't be turned away
Many people incorrectly believe that they shouldn’t seek emergency treatment at the closest hospital because they have no health insurance or have Medicaid. Nothing could be further from the truth.
EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) laws, which were enacted in the United States in 1986, have a significant impact on patient care. Essentially, EMTALA requires that emergency departments of hospitals that participate in Medicare (which is almost all hospitals in the US) must evaluate and stabilize all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Specifically, EMTALA requires that:
- Emergency departments must provide a medical screening examination to every patient that arrives at the hospital seeking emergency care.
- If a patient has an emergency medical condition, the hospital must provide either appropriate medical treatment within the hospital's capabilities or, if that is not possible, appropriate transfer to another hospital that has the capability to provide the necessary treatment.
- Hospitals cannot turn away any patient who arrives at the emergency department seeking treatment, even if the patient cannot afford to pay.
These regulations have several implications for patient care. First of all, EMTALA ensures that patients receive a basic medical evaluation that can help to identify potential life-threatening conditions. This can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment, as well as improved outcomes.
Moreover, EMTALA helps to ensure that hospitals cannot discriminate against patients based on their ability to pay for healthcare services. This helps to ensure that everyone has access to emergency care, regardless of their financial situation. However, it also places a financial burden on hospitals, which may be required to provide emergency care to patients who cannot pay for it. This can lead to concerns about the financial viability of hospitals, especially when many uninsured patients present for care.
Ultimately, EMTALA helps to ensure that patients receive a basic standard of care when they present to the emergency department. Although the regulations may have implications for hospital finances, they help to ensure that patients receive appropriate medical evaluation and treatment when emergencies arise.
For further guidance and medical advocacy, please go to PaladinMDs because “it’s like having a doctor in the family.”