A freestanding ER provides emergency medical services at a place outside a regular hospital campus. It is not attached to a hospital or even located near one. Keep in mind, a freestanding ER is not the same as an urgent care center. A freestanding ER can treat any of the conditions a hospital-based ER could.
Full Answer
What is a freestanding emergency medical care facility in Texas?
The Texas Freestanding Emergency Medical Care Facility Licensing Act was first enacted in 2009 by the 81st Legislature. An FEMC facility is a facility that is structurally separate and distinct from a hospital and which receives an individual and provides emergency care.
What is the difference between a stay and a residential treatment center?
Stays are typically short-term and are used to stabilize a mental health condition. About 8.4% of mental health facilities in the United States are residential facilities for adults and about 7.5% are residential facilities for children's mental illness treatment needs. Residential treatment centers tend to be private mental health facilities.
What are residential treatment centers?
Residential treatment centers tend to be private mental health facilities. Treatments here vary widely from equine treatment to exercise to therapy to psychotropic medication ( Alternative Approaches to Mental Health Treatment ). These are typically long-term mental health facilities.
What is a freestanding drug and alcohol treatment facility in PA?
This subchapter cited in 28 Pa. Code § 709.121 (relating to applicability). § 709.1. Scope. (a) This chapter establishes the procedures for the issuance of a license by activity to freestanding drug and alcohol treatment facilities. The term, facility, applies to the physical location from which drug and alcohol services are provided.
What is an outpatient project?
(a) Outpatient projects shall make an effort to adjust the hours of project operations to meet client needs, taking into account other client time commitments such as employment and school schedules.
How many hours of hospitalization per week?
(a) The partial hospitalization project shall operate at least 5 days of the week and for a minimum of 40 hours per week. Additional hours should be appropriate to the population served by the partial hospitalization project.
Licensing
The staff of the Health Facility Licensing Unit is responsible for licensing FEMCs. The Architectural Review Unit is responsible for conducting plan reviews and construction inspections of new and existing freestanding emergency medical care facilities.
Applications, Forms and Supporting Documents
For initial, relocation and change of ownership applications, complete Form 3226, Freestanding Emergency Medical Care Facility License Application.
Survey Components
During the initial licensing period, department regional office staff will conduct an on-site survey to ascertain compliance with the provisions of the Health and Safety Code and associated rules. An entrance conference will be held with key facility personnel. Regional office staff will explain the survey process and answer questions.
CLIA Information
Visit the CLIA information website. To contact the regional office for your location, read the Health Care Regulation Contact Information (PDF).
Contact Information
The Health Facility Licensing Unit is dedicated to assist you through this process and is available to answer your questions. If you have any questions, please contact the Health Facility Licensing Unit:
What is a freestanding ER?
Free-standing emergency rooms are facilities that provide round-the-clock care for everything from the common cold to heart attacks. However, the charge for the visit is usually the same as an emergency room visit – regardless of the nature of the ailment. Patients receive bills for professional fees, a facility fee and ancillary fees (if radiology or lab services are needed). Facility fees are needed because, like traditional hospital emergency departments, freestanding emergency departments have emergency physicians, nurses, techs and staff, and advanced laboratory and imaging capabilities available. As a result, a patient with a mildly acute condition, such as a cold or sore throat, who visits a freestanding ER, will end up paying approximately the same amount as a traditional ER. Freestanding ERs can be owned by a hospital or they may be privately owned, but all have one key difference – they are not attached to a hospital, so if a higher level of care is required, such as immediate surgery or cardiac procedure, patients will be transferred to the nearest hospital, potentially losing valuable time and delaying treatment. More than likely, patients will also receive two bills if their diagnosis requires a subsequent trip to the hospital. Additionally, some independent freestanding emergency rooms do not accept Medicaid or Medicare patients.
Why are facility fees needed?
Facility fees are needed because, like traditional hospital emergency departments, freestanding emergency departments have emergency physicians, nurses, techs and staff, and advanced laboratory and imaging capabilities available. As a result, a patient with a mildly acute condition, such as a cold or sore throat, who visits a freestanding ER, ...
What is a walk in clinic?
Walk-in clinics/urgent care clinics are outpatient clinics that treat most illnesses and injuries, but do not handle life-threatening conditions like chest pain, stroke, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding. Because of these limitations, if the emergency is beyond the scope of their care, patients will be referred to a local ER.
Is a freestanding ER the same as a traditional ER?
As a result, a patient with a mildly acute condition, such as a cold or sore throat, who visits a freestanding ER, will end up paying approximately the same amount as a traditional ER. Freestanding ERs can be owned by a hospital or they may be privately owned, but all have one key difference – they are not attached to a hospital, ...
Do ERs have to meet the standard of care?
Furthermore, the law requires hospital ERs to meet the standard of care, meaning several tests will be performed in order to rule out certain conditions. Therefore, it’s important to know that patients, or their insurance provider, may receive multiple bills from the hospital, and most times from the ER Physician, ...
Do freestanding emergency rooms accept Medicare?
Additionally, some independent freestanding emergency rooms do not accept Medicaid or Medicare patients.
Laws and Rules
Find Or Verify A License
Licensing
Applications, Forms and Supporting Documents
Complaint and Incident Submission Information
Inspection Components
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Information
Contact Information
- Health Care Regulation Contact Information
For Health Care Regulation contact information, visit our Contact Us page. - Health Care Facility Enforcement
Phone: 512-438-5439 Fax: 512-834-6623 Email: [email protected](link sends email) Mailing Address: Texas Health and Human Services Commission Regulatory Services Division Health Care Facility Enfor…
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