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/f

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.