HB3221 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Public Health to license freestanding rapid treatment emergency centers (FRTECs) subject to certificate of need approval from the Health Facilities and Services Review Board.

• Establishes licensing requirements for FRTECs including: location in municipalities over 1,000,000 population or medically underserved areas, affiliation with nearby acute care hospitals, board-certified emergency physicians on staff 24/7, ambulance services, and comprehensive emergency treatment on outpatient basis.

• Requires FRTECs to limit EMS participation to patients within facility capabilities per protocols approved by the Medical Director, Resource Hospital, and Department; prohibits marketing as full-service hospitals.

• Mandates insurance coverage and reimbursement for FRTEC emergency services at rates substantially similar to hospital emergency departments; directs Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt Medicaid rates within 90 days.

• Effective immediately; establishes provisional licensing procedures and certificate of need guidelines to be adopted by emergency rule within 120 days.