CMS Issues EMTALA Guidance

POSTED: September 21st, 2021
POSTED IN: Forum Topic,

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued additional guidance on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act related to care of the pregnant individual or individual experiencing pregnancy loss. The memo does not include new policy, rather is a reminder to hospitals of their existing responsibilities. The definition of “labor” is a central element of focus. The guidance also notes that while EMTALA is not enforced for inpatients, there are four primary Conditions of Participation often cited with inpatients when there is a complaint that a hospital is not appropriately assessing and arranging transport of the admitted labor patient.