CMS has issued final rules that clarify how hospitals need to manage shared on-call arrangements under EMTALA. Under the final rule, a "community plan"--two or more hospitals coordinating on-call coverage within a specific geographic area--must designate the facility that will offer specific coverage. The other participating hospital(s) would transfer patients needing such care to that facility. Hospitals involved are required to establish the time period during which this on-call coordination is in effect.
The rule will also require hospitals to develop a formal plan, including a clear assignment of on-call responsibilities for each hospital participating in th e plan, as well as a description of the geographic area covered by the plan, and a yearly assessment of the plan by hospitals participating in it.
To learn more about the regulation:
- read this HFMA News item
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