CMS FAQs address inquiries from psychiatric hospitals on EMTALA compliance

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week issued a memo to state survey agency directors providing a frequently asked questions document to address common inquiries from psychiatric hospitals regarding compliance with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. While all Medicare-participating hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals, are required to comply with EMTALA, there has been confusion and misconceptions regarding these obligations in psychiatric hospitals. CMS does not make any changes to EMTALA requirements, but rather attempts to clarify screening, stabilization and recipient hospital requirements for psychiatric hospitals.