CT SB00303

Removes the January 1, 2017 effective date requirement and clarifies that hospitals cannot collect facility fees for off-site outpatient evaluation and management services from uninsured patients beyond the Medicare rate, except at freestanding emergency departments.

Defines "freestanding emergency department" as a structurally separate facility that is a hospital department, provides emergency care, and has obtained a certificate of need under chapter 368z.

Requires urgent care centers to obtain a license as an outpatient clinic from the Department of Public Health on or after April 1, 2018, and expands the definition to include requirements for diagnostic imaging, intravenous fluids, and minimal resuscitative methods.

Mandates that freestanding emergency departments clearly identify themselves through prominent external signage including the word "emergency" and the hospital name, and post conspicuous signs stating "THIS IS A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT."

Requires freestanding emergency departments without co-located urgent or primary care services to post signage stating "THIS IS NOT AN URGENT CARE OR PRIMARY CARE CENTER," or to post location and service information if such services are included.