Medicare-certified hospitals and critical-access hospitals with emergency departments must follow the federal law and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and interpretative guidelines for the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). This three-part series will focus on problematic areas of EMTALA concepts, adequacy of medical screening, and on-call physician issues. Fines have more than doubled since 2015 when CMS implemented the inflationary adjustment retroactive to the implementation of the EMTALA regulations.

Part 1

Jul 09, 2020 , 01 : 00 PM EST | 120 Minutes

• Describe the basic requirements of EMTALA.
• Describe the effect of 1135 waivers on compliance with EMTALA requirements.
• Describe why EMTALA is the most frequently cited deficiency.
• Discuss who and where EMTALA applies in the facility.
• Provide examples of how the hospital can stay current on changes in regulations.

Part 2

Jul 14, 2020 , 01 : 00 PM EST | 120 Minutes

• Define what language must be on required EMTALA signage and where it must be located.
• Describe what constitutes an adequate medical screening examination for behavioral health, obstetric, and other patients.
• Describe what constitutes an appropriate certification of false labor.
• Detail what an appropriate transfer entails and what must be included in the transfer form.

Part 3

Jul 17, 2020 , 01 : 00 PM EST | 120 Minutes

• Describe on-call physician rules including schedules and when the on-call physician must appear in the emergency department.
• Describe the Office of Inspector General role and recent deficiencies and fines concerning on-call physicians.
• Describe the Quality Improvement Organization role with EMTALA.
• Detailed documentation requirements for challenging patient situations.

Who Will Benefit?

This series is for all hospitals including general acute hospitals, critical-access hospitals interested in EMTALA regulations, and guidelines. The intended audience includes:

• Behavioral health staff
• CEOs
• Chief medical officers
• Chief nursing officers
• Compliance officers
• Emergency medicine staff
• Legal counsel
• Nursing staff
• Obstetric staff
• Risk managers