Bill > HR3134

This bill aims to permanently establish Medicare and Medicaid coverage for Freestanding Emergency Centers (FECs) following a temporary COVID-19 pandemic waiver. The legislation defines FECs as fully licensed emergency departments that operate 24/7, are staffed by emergency medicine physicians and registered nurses, and provide the same level of care as hospital-based emergency rooms. The bill would allow FECs to enroll as Medicare-certified providers and receive reimbursement, with specific requirements including having established governing bodies, quality assessment programs, and arrangements with hospitals for patient referrals. FECs must be located in metropolitan or specific rural areas and meet all state emergency medical service requirements. The legislation is based on findings that over 118 FECs, primarily in Texas, have provided high-quality emergency services at a lower cost, with one actuarial study showing a 21.8 percent savings in emergency care payments compared to traditional hospital emergency rooms. The bill also ensures that FECs will be subject to Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) regulations, which require treating all patients regardless of their ability to pay, and modifies existing Medicare and Medicaid statutes to incorporate these new provisions.

Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3134/all-info