Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act
(Also Known as the “Antidumping Law”)
(EMTALA) is a United States Act of Congress passed in 1986 as part of the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It requires hospitals to
provide care to anyone needing emergency treatment regardless of
citizenship, legal status or ability to pay.
Hospitals have the following obligations under EMTALA:
Individuals requesting emergency care must receive a medical screening examination to determine whether an emergency medical condition (EMC) exists. Examination and treatment cannot be delayed to inquire about methods of payment or insurance coverage.
The emergency room must treat an individual with an EMC until the condition is resolved or stabilized. If the hospital does not have the capability to treat the condition, the hospital must make an "appropriate" transfer of the patient to another hospital with such capability.
Hospitals with specialized capabilities must accept such transfers.
If you have concerns about having received adequate treatment and think that a violation has occurred, you may report your suspected violation or obtain further information on EMTALA compliance by contacting:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Richard Bolling Federal
Building 601 E. 12th St., Room 235
Kansas City, MO 64106-2808
Phone: 816-426-6469
Fax 816-235-7383
(Formal reports are best made by FAX or mail.)
