Policy Statements d. Transfer When patient transfer is indicated, the emergency facility must have a written plan for transferring patients in a vehicle with appropriate patient care capabilities, including life support (eg, ambulance, advanced life support, basic life support, fixed-wing, rotor). When necessary, means should be available to provide nursing or physician staffing of transfer vehicles. Medical records necessary for ongoing care must accompany the patient; if these are not available at transfer, they must be expeditiously provided to the receiving facility (eg, by fax transmission) in accordance with EMTALA. Patients with potentially lethal or disabling conditions or other emergency medical conditions must not be transferred from an emergency facility unless appropriate evaluation and stabilization procedures have been initiated within the capability of the facility. Transfer of patients to a facility with greater capability and resources should be arranged as necessary. All transfers must comply with local, state, and federal laws and be consistent with ACEP policies related to patient transfer. Approved April 2014 Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors April 2014, October 2007, June 2004, and June 2001, titled “Emergency Department Planning and Resources Guidelines” Reaffirmed by the ACEP Board of Directors September 1996 Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors June 1991 Originally approved by the ACEP Board of Directors December 1985, titled “Emergency Care Guidelines” http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.08.035
Health Care Cost Assignment by Taxes [Ann Emerg Med. 2014;64:572.] It cannot be denied that there are unhealthy choices, products, and services that create societal costs, including uncompensated health care expenditures. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes that, to the extent practicable, those health care costs should be primarily offset by funding from individuals making such choices and using such products and services. Approved April 2014 Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors, titled “Health Care Cost Assignment by Taxes,” April 2014 Reaffirmed by the ACEP Board of Directors October 2006 Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors July 2000, titled “Health Promotion Revenues (‘Sin Taxes’)” 572 Annals of Emergency Medicine
Originally approved by the ACEP Board of Directors April 1993 as a Board Motion titled “Sin Taxes” http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.08.034
Worldwide Nuclear Disarmament [Ann Emerg Med. 2014;64:572.] The American College of Emergency Physicians adds its voice to other organizations and individuals urging our government to continue to seek international nuclear weapons control, reduction, and eventual disarmament. Approved April 2014 Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors April 2014 Reaffirmed by the ACEP Board of Directors October 2002, October 2008 This policy statement was approved by the ACEP Board of Directors October 1998, originating from a Board Motion approved April 1982 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.08.036
Third-Party Payers and Emergency Medical Care [Ann Emerg Med. 2014;64:572-573.] The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes that emergency medical care must be readily available to all persons requesting it regardless of their ability to pay or their health insurance status. Individuals requesting medical care at an emergency department (ED) must be provided a medical screening examination and any necessary stabilizing treatment as defined by federal law1 and state law, as applicable. This requirement applies to all individuals, including managed care patients, regardless of any payment authorization determination. Third-party payers* that actively practice demand management have a duty and responsibility to educate their members about emergency services, including appropriate access and use of emergency services, especially emergency medical services (EMS) 911 or other public emergency access telephone systems. All health care access information provided to members should clearly state that preauthorization for emergency care is not required. Any person who perceives that he or she is experiencing an emergency should call 911 without delay or go directly to the ED. Emergency physicians should assume an active role in working with third-party payers to ensure that they do not interfere with the prompt availability and delivery of emergency services. Only appropriately qualified medical professionals, such as a managed care organization’s medical advice line, participating physicians’ *Third-party payers include Medicare, Medicaid, managed care organizations, indemnity insurers, and businesses that contract for services.
Volume 64, no. 5 : November 2014
Health Care Cost Assignment by Taxes [Ann Emerg Med. 2014;64:572.] It cannot be denied that there are unhealthy choices, products, and services that create societal costs, including uncompensated health care expenditures. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes that, to the extent practicable, those health care costs should be primarily offset by funding from individuals making such choices and using such products and services. Approved April 2014 Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors, titled “Health Care Cost Assignment by Taxes,” April 2014 Reaffirmed by the ACEP Board of Directors October 2006 Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors July 2000, titled “Health Promotion Revenues (‘Sin Taxes’)” 572 Annals of Emergency Medicine
Originally approved by the ACEP Board of Directors April 1993 as a Board Motion titled “Sin Taxes” http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.08.034
Worldwide Nuclear Disarmament [Ann Emerg Med. 2014;64:572.] The American College of Emergency Physicians adds its voice to other organizations and individuals urging our government to continue to seek international nuclear weapons control, reduction, and eventual disarmament. Approved April 2014 Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors April 2014 Reaffirmed by the ACEP Board of Directors October 2002, October 2008 This policy statement was approved by the ACEP Board of Directors October 1998, originating from a Board Motion approved April 1982 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.08.036
Third-Party Payers and Emergency Medical Care [Ann Emerg Med. 2014;64:572-573.] The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes that emergency medical care must be readily available to all persons requesting it regardless of their ability to pay or their health insurance status. Individuals requesting medical care at an emergency department (ED) must be provided a medical screening examination and any necessary stabilizing treatment as defined by federal law1 and state law, as applicable. This requirement applies to all individuals, including managed care patients, regardless of any payment authorization determination. Third-party payers* that actively practice demand management have a duty and responsibility to educate their members about emergency services, including appropriate access and use of emergency services, especially emergency medical services (EMS) 911 or other public emergency access telephone systems. All health care access information provided to members should clearly state that preauthorization for emergency care is not required. Any person who perceives that he or she is experiencing an emergency should call 911 without delay or go directly to the ED. Emergency physicians should assume an active role in working with third-party payers to ensure that they do not interfere with the prompt availability and delivery of emergency services. Only appropriately qualified medical professionals, such as a managed care organization’s medical advice line, participating physicians’ *Third-party payers include Medicare, Medicaid, managed care organizations, indemnity insurers, and businesses that contract for services.
Volume 64, no. 5 : November 2014
