Freestanding ERs Challenge Regulation, Accusations Of Price Gouging
Legislation making its way through the Texas Legislature could impose new regulations on freestanding emergency rooms in the state.
These ERs, which are not located inside hospitals, are often confused with urgent care centers. The latter are meant to provide care to people who don’t appear to have life-threatening medical issues, while freestanding ERs are meant to care for patients who would normally show up at an ER in a hospital (though not trauma cases).
Consumer advocates say freestanding ERs are expensive and care is often not covered by insurance plans. They’re backing legislation that would require these ERs to be more transparent about patient costs and insurance coverage. They also support legislation that would expand mediation requirements to the ERs.
Representatives for freestanding ERs say they are improving access to emergency care. At a press conference at the Texas Capitol on Tuesday, a group of doctors went up against health insurance companies.
Read more: http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/freestanding-ers-challenge-regulation-accusations-of-price-gouging/#
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