The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated model signage for the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
CMS shared with State Survey Agency Directors the updated signage that Medicare participating hospitals may use to meet the signage requirements at §489.20(q)(1) and (2) which reference EMTALA.
Background:
To comply with the regulations at §489.20(q)(1) and (2) hospital signage must at a minimum:
- Specify the rights of individuals with EMCs and women in labor who come to the emergency department for health care services;
- Indicate whether the facility participates in the Medicaid program;
- The wording of the sign(s) must be clear and in simple terms and language(s) that are understandable by the population served by the hospital; and
- The sign(s) must be posted in a place or places likely to be noticed by all individuals entering the emergency department, as well as those individuals waiting for examination and treatment (e.g., entrance, admitting area, waiting.
CMS released a new poster for hospitals to display for patients to know their Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) rights.
The poster includes information about patient rights through EMTALA and how to file a complaint if patients believe their rights have been violated. Hospitals are encouraged to use this poster in emergency room departments and other hospital settings.
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