Insurance before medical screening exam???

[lauralaik]

I was recently given orientation at a new facility and it was mentioned that it is "illegal" to ask a patient for their insurance information before they receive a medical screening exam.

I have been to several facilities as a patient, and even worked at another facility where insurance information is collected upon arrival. Payment was not mentioned until the end.

Is this a new policy? I've searched the internet, but have had trouble coming up with anything that supports these statements. It's definitely not a part of EMTALA..

TIA for the help!

[mwboswell]

I was recently given orientation at a new facility and it was mentioned that it is "illegal" to ask a patient for their insurance information before they receive a medical screening exam.

I have been to several facilities as a patient, and even worked at another facility where insurance information is collected upon arrival. Payment was not mentioned until the end.

Is this a new policy? I've searched the internet, but have had trouble coming up with anything that supports these statements. It's definitely not a part of EMTALA..

TIA for the help!

It's "Illegal" only if it "delays" the medical screening exam.

Some places will go ahead and get ins. info while the patient is waiting, as they will be "waiting" anyways.

[Always_Learning, BSN, RN]

I currently work in my facility's registration department as a trainer. The reason this gets into sticky territory is that EMTALA states that patients cannot be transferred or refused treatment based on their ability to pay. Therefore, asking for insurance information before the medical screening exam may be perceived by the patient as discrimination/unfair treatment/etc. and may cast doubt on later transfers. I have seen, however, that this varies facility to facility; I suppose interpretation of EMTALA is ultimately left up to the facility administrators.