Title: Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act - Wikipedia
Headings: Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act
Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act
Contents
Mandated and non-mandated care
Non-covered medical conditions
Hospital obligations
Amendments
Effects
Improved health services for uninsured
Cost pressures on hospitals
See also
Notes and references
External links

Content: Regardless, this term is not recognized by the law as a condition defined by the EMTALA statute. A term more relevant for compliance with EMTALA is "non-emergency medical condition". If this "non-emergent" term is used in the context of EMTALA, it needs to be defined as medical conditions that fail to pass the criteria for determination of being a true EMC as defined by EMTALA statute. Admitted patients who experience a medical emergency while at the hospital are normally not covered by EMTALA, but instead they are protected by varying state laws and quality assurance under the deemed status of the facility. Hospital obligations
Hospitals have three obligations under EMTALA: Individuals requesting emergency care, or those for whom a representative has made a request if the patient is unable to do so, must receive a medical screening examination (MSE) to determine whether an emergency medical condition (EMC) exists. The participating hospital cannot delay examination and treatment to inquire about methods of payment or insurance coverage, or a patient's citizenship or legal status. The hospital may start the process of payment inquiry and billing only once they have ensured that doing so will not interfere with or otherwise compromise patient care. When an emergency department determines that an individual has an EMC, the hospital must provide further treatment and examination until the EMC is resolved or stabilized and the patient can provide self-care following discharge, or if unable to do so, can receive needed continual care. Inpatient care provided must be at an equal level for all patients, regardless of ability to pay.