The National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems and other psychiatric groups in their testimony urged the technical advisory group to convene a national work group, with a goal of developing better definitions of “stabilization” and “emergency medical condition” as they relate to individuals with psychiatric disorders.
The work group could also provide more specific interpretive guidelines to the field related to psychiatric care, and offer more specific provider education, Ms. McCann said.
Although no formal recommendations were made, the technical advisory group did vote for its action subcommittee to further study the definition of emergency psychiatric medical conditions and the definition of stabilization, and to seek more public testimony and outside expertise on the issue.
EMTALA was enacted in 1986 to ensure public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 required that HHS establish a technical advisory group to review EMTALA regulations. It is required by law to meet at least twice a year.