IL HB4388

Department of Public Health must issue annual licenses to Freestanding Emergency Centers (FECs) that received permits by January 1, 2015, and meet specified requirements including location in municipalities with 50,000 or fewer residents within 50 miles of affiliated hospitals.

FECs must be owned or controlled by hospitals but operate as separate facilities, staffed 24 hours daily with at least one board-certified emergency physician present and paramedic-staffed ambulance services.

FECs must limit ambulance patient intake according to their 24-hour capabilities and protocols approved by the Resource Hospital's EMS Medical Director and the Department.

FECs must provide comprehensive emergency treatment services on an outpatient basis, report patient transfers within 48 hours, submit quarterly morbidity and mortality data, and cannot advertise as full-service hospitals.

Department may issue licenses to facilities in counties without general acute care hospitals or those that filed intent letters by January 1, 2014, and must conduct annual inspections with authority to suspend or revoke licenses for non-compliance.