EMTALA requires Medicare participating hospitals to provide what?

• A. Medical screening for an emergency condition
• B. Post-discharge follow-up
• C. Free medication for all emergencies
• D. Transfer to another facility for care

Answer: (A)

EMTALA’s purpose is to ensure that anyone who comes to a Medicare-participating hospital’s emergency department is evaluated for an emergency medical condition through a medical screening examination, regardless of ability to pay or other factors. If an emergency condition exists, the hospital must stabilize the patient or arrange an appropriate transfer. This focus on screening to determine if an emergency condition is present is why the correct choice is medical screening for an emergency condition. EMTALA does not require free medications, post-discharge follow-up, or automatic transfers in all cases—transfers occur only to stabilize or when needed and feasible for the patient.