Under EMTALA, which requirement applies to any hospital with an emergency department that accepts Medicare?

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Under EMTALA, hospitals with emergency departments that participate in Medicare must ensure that any person who comes to the ED receives an appropriate medical screening examination, and if an emergency medical condition is present, the patient must be stabilized or arranged for transfer to a facility capable of providing stabilization, regardless of the patient’s insurance status or ability to pay. This prevents discrimination based on payer and ensures access to urgent care when time matters. The obligation is about immediate access to evaluation and stabilization, not about charging or upfront payments. It also isn’t about publishing prices or about limiting care to insured patients.