title: Update on patient access to EDs: share good news.
abstract: The Norwood/Dingell bill, passed in the House of Representatives, would establish a national standard of emergency care and protect patients from claims denials and managed care plans' requirements for prior authorization. The bill will be a significant health care issue in this year's presidential election, but it's doubtful that federal legislation will be passed before then. It would establish a national prudent layperson standard, which requires health plans to base emergency care coverage on symptoms and not a final diagnosis. Patients who pay for their health insurance need the same emergency care protections as individuals enrolled in federal government, Medicare, and Medicaid health plans.
mesh_terms: D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States