Emergency Medical Care Policy

Bassett Healthcare Network Emergency Medical Care Policy

Pursuant to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), Bassett Healthcare Network has an established emergency medical care policy for all of its facilities and affiliates with dedicated emergency departments that provide emergency medical services in accordance with EMTALA; 42 CFR 482.55; and Subchapter G of Chapter IV of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). Such services include, but are not limited to: medical screening examinations, stabilizing treatment, and referral/transfer of an individual to another facility when appropriate.

Bassett Healthcare Network Facilities with emergency departments:

For those Bassett Healthcare Network facilities and health centers that do not have a dedicated emergency department, pursuant to 42 CFR 482.12(f)(2) (or any successor regulation), these facilities have policies and procedures in place addressing how that facility appraises emergencies, provides initial treatment, and refers/transfers individuals to other facilities. 

This Bassett Healthcare Network Emergency Medical Care policy applies to all facilities set forth and described above, and provides the following:

1. Each facility will provide, without discrimination, care for all emergency medical conditions to all individuals regardless of eligibility for  financial assistance.
2. No Bassett Healthcare Network facility will engage in any action that discourages individuals from seeking emergency medical care. Such actions include, but are not limited to: 
   • Demanding payment before treatment.
   • Permitting debt collection activities in the emergency department or other areas of the facility where such activities could interfere with the provision, without discrimination, of emergency medical care.