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Do US hospitals ever turn away people from the ICU because of cost? If so, how do they verify the ability of an unconscious person to pay before treatment? I w

Do US hospitals ever turn away people from the ICU because of cost? If so, how do they verify the ability of an unconscious person to pay before treatment? I was under the impression that they already ate those costs.

prutschman 12y ago
My brief googling turns up the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, and an accompanying FAQ: http://www.emtala.com/faq.htm http://www.emtala.com/faq.htm > 13. Can the hospital inquire about the patient's ability to pay? > Yes, but timing is everything. The statute does not prohibit an inquiry into availability of medical insurance; it does provide that neither examination nor treatment may be delayed to make the inquiry. > Prior to 2003, some knowledgeable commentators had suggested that no discussion of any payment issues should take place before the medical screening examination and any needed stabilizing treatment are provided. CMS has even recommended that hospital personnel not answer any questions initiated by the patient, apparently on the theory that some patients may be dissuaded from staying if they learn that they will be financially responsible for the treatment, even if they are assured that they will be seen without consideration of payment issues. Such recommendations, however, do not arise to the level of a definitive statement of what is required. I don't know if the Affordable Care Act changed any of this.
ghkbrew 12y ago
You're right. Legally ERs can't turn away patients. They have to "stabilize" them before discharge. However not all ERs are equal. It's entirely possible that procedures like this wouldn't be available in a less well funded (read: poorer) hospitals. At least until it becomes what's known as the "standard of care", where the healthcare provider can be culpable for not providing the treatment. Though, honestly, I don't really see that happening. If this is successful, I would expect to primarily see first adoption in hospitals which already have high trauma rates. Which, typically, are hospitals serving poorer areas.

prutschman 12y ago

My brief googling turns up the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, and an accompanying FAQ: http://www.emtala.com/faq.htm http://www.emtala.com/faq.htm > 13. Can the hospital inquire about the patient's ability to pay? > Yes, but timing is everything. The statute does not prohibit an inquiry into availability of medical insurance; it does provide that neither examination nor treatment may be delayed to make the inquiry. > Prior to 2003, some knowledgeable commentators had suggested that no discussion of any payment issues should take place before the medical screening examination and any needed stabilizing treatment are provided. CMS has even recommended that hospital personnel not answer any questions initiated by the patient, apparently on the theory that some patients may be dissuaded from staying if they learn that they will be financially responsible for the treatment, even if they are assured that they will be seen without consideration of payment issues. Such recommendations, however, do not arise to the level of a definitive statement of what is required. I don't know if the Affordable Care Act changed any of this.

ghkbrew 12y ago

You're right. Legally ERs can't turn away patients. They have to "stabilize" them before discharge. However not all ERs are equal. It's entirely possible that procedures like this wouldn't be available in a less well funded (read: poorer) hospitals. At least until it becomes what's known as the "standard of care", where the healthcare provider can be culpable for not providing the treatment. Though, honestly, I don't really see that happening. If this is successful, I would expect to primarily see first adoption in hospitals which already have high trauma rates. Which, typically, are hospitals serving poorer areas.