Independent Freestanding Emergency Centers: The Face of an Alternative Model to Healthcare in Rural America

Authors

Alisha Patel, Belmont University College of Law

Abstract

This Note will attempt to provide a background of rural healthcare disparities and the issues facing these regions. This Note will also explore the history of IFECs in the United States to better understand the context of the issues and reasons as to why emergency regulations such as EMTALA do not already extend to IFECs. Part 1 of this Note will examine the origin of IFECs and their role in the healthcare landscape today. Part II will discuss EMTALA and the challenges associated with IFECs during a public health emergency. Lastly, Part III of this Note will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the current system to assess whether CMS should continue to recognize IFECs even after the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential solution to individuals' inability to access healthcare in rural areas of the United States. This Note will argue that expanding Medicare and Medicaid coverage to IFECs beyond a public health emergency will standardize regulatory concerns and allow these entities to provide emergency services to individuals living in rural areas with little to no healthcare access.

Recommended Citation

Patel, Alisha (2023) "Independent Freestanding Emergency Centers: The Face of an Alternative Model to Healthcare in Rural America," Belmont Health Law Journal: Vol. 5, Article 8.
Available at: https://repository.belmont.edu/healthlaw/vol5/iss1/8