Freestanding Emergency Medical Centers (FEMCs) such as Physicians Premier Emergency Rooms in Texas have not been recognized or authorized to accept Medicare / Medicaid or Tricare.

The Emergency Room Improvement Act (S.3531) - introduced on October 17, 2018 by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. - is an important bill for Congress to pass and would mean accessible, cost-effective emergency medical care for all Medicare / Medicaid and Tricare patients.

There are more than 500 Freestanding Emergency Medical Centers across the United States and most were established after 2010. FEMCs offer high-quality emergency care to patients in fully licensed facilities. Just as hospital-based ERs operate 24/7 and have emergency-trained physicians on-site at all times, so do FEMCs.

Dr. Cassidy recognized that the statute needed to be modernized to reflect the improved delivery of healthcare. As a result, he filed S. 3531, the Emergency Care Improvement Act, which would provide Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare recognition of Freestanding Emergency Medical Centers, so they can continue to serve these patients and be partially compensated for the care provided. This legislative solution—endorsed by both the National Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (NAFEC) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)—would also help to enable expanded FEMC growth in rural areas.

“I introduced this bill because it provides Medicare and Medicaid patients with better access to emergency medical care, reduces their out-of-pocket costs, while also saving taxpayers money,” said Dr. Cassidy.

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