I know that ERs are required by law to treat any patient that walks through the door and at least get them stabilized, regardless of ability to pay.
Say that an uninsured 30 year man comes to the ER with acute appendicitis and needs an emergency appendectomy. Can the hospital refuse further treatment (like the operation) if they feel that they won't get paid, even if the patient's life may be in danger?
Reena
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A hospital can not turn away a patient that needs immediate care.... even if that means the tax payer picks up the tab in the end.
Make no mistake, they will bill the patient and will ruin that persons' credit file for years to come. But nonetheless... we pay for this type of service and for too many people it is the only way to get health care.
The acute appendicitis is a "clean story" compared to the Stage 4 cancer patient that finally enters an E.R. because the pain is unbearable and the hospital can do nothing other than hand him painkillers and send him on his way again.
What we lack is affordable and available health care that allows for regular check-ups and the usual testing necessary to detect cancer early.
Yes, we have free Mammogram programs... but do you realize that this is just one type of cancer? That ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer does not have any "free or affordable" tests that could save a lot of people from an agonizing death?
Any civilized country in Europe has this type of health care service available for their citizens, young and old.
Lauren F
They cannot refuse care in a life threatening emergency, and are required to at least stabilize the patient. Most hospitals also offer a certain amount of free or discounted care to those without insurance and with modest or low incomes.
If the patient is not in a life-threatening situation, and cannot pay or qualify for the free/reduced care, then yes, the hospital can decline to accept them as a patient. The probably will refer to the person to a public or community hospital or another care provider, such as an urgent care center.
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No, that kind of emergency operation is required.
The hairy situation is a patient with cancer coming in and being given painkillers and told to go home. The patient's life is in danger but it is not imminent danger.
That's why we need national health care like other countries.
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I have a friend that is in paris france on business. he was hit by a car and the driver drove off. he was in a hospital europeen georges pompidou hospital.....he was told he needed surgery but since he had no money to pay down they made him leave today....without even a prescription for pain meds and antibiotics? he even said they stopped feeding him for no money. his accident was on Thursday. can they do this legally?
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RE :Can a hospital refuse to treat an uninsured patient?
I know that ERs are required by law to treat any patient that walks through the door and at least get them stabilized, regardless of ability to pay.
Say that an uninsured 30 year man comes to the ER with acute appendicitis and needs an emergency appendectomy. Can the hospital refuse further treatment (like the operation) if they feel that they won't get paid, even if the patient's life may be in danger?
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