EMTALA: can care be delayed due to lack of insurance?

EMTALA: can care be delayed due to lack of insurance?

• A. Only for non-emergency
• B. No, care cannot be delayed due to lack of insurance
• C. Yes, must have insurance first
• D. Only if payer approves

Answer: (B)

EMTALA requires that patients who present to an emergency department with an emergency medical condition must be screened, stabilized, and treated regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Because of this, care cannot be delayed to obtain insurance or to wait for payer approval. The obligation applies to emergencies, not to non-emergency situations, and it permits discussion of payment after stabilization, but it does not withhold urgent care based on insurance. So the answer is that care cannot be delayed due to lack of insurance.

EMTALA requires that patients who present to an emergency department with an emergency medical condition must be screened, stabilized, and treated regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Because of this, care cannot be delayed to obtain insurance or to wait for payer approval. The obligation applies to emergencies, not to non-emergency situations, and it permits discussion of payment after stabilization, but it does not withhold urgent care based on insurance. So the answer is that care cannot be delayed due to lack of insurance.