One Step Closer to Being Federally Recognized to Accept Medicare / Medicaid and Tricare

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Nov. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PHYSICIANS PREMIER EMERGENCY ROOM announced that the recently introduced Emergency Room Improvement Act (S.3531) is a major step towards granting Freestanding Emergency Medical Center benefits to Texas Medicare / Medicaid patients, and our hero veterans with Tricare. Physicians Premier ER is hopeful that Congress passes this Emergency Room Improvement Act (2. 3531) and that it becomes law.

"Our patients have the perception that Physicians Premier ER doesn't want to accept Medicare / Medicaid and Tricare patients which is absolutely not the case," states Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich, Chief Medical Officer of Physicians Premier ER. "The fact is Freestanding Emergency Medical Centers (FEMCs) such as Physicians Premier ERs have not been recognized or authorized to accept Medicare / Medicaid or Tricare. This is an important bill for Congress to pass. This could mean accessible, cost-effective emergency health care for all Medicare / Medicaid and Tricare patients."

Having treated thousands of patients since opening its doors in 2014, Physicians Premier ER has improved emergency care and accessibility to all patients in our communities and saved lives as a result.  To be recognized by Medicare / Medicaid and Tricare will be a tremendous benefit to those patients who suffer as a result of not being covered or having to wait at traditional, overburdened hospitals, particularly if in critical need.

On October 17, 2018, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced legislation to provide Medicare and Medicaid beneficiary access to emergency room care in multiple states where Freestanding Emergency Medical Centers (FEMCs) operate. The bill would improve patient access to emergency services in crowded urban areas as well as rural areas where access to hospitals is limited. The bill would be a value proposition for Medicare by offering emergency services at a discounted rate.

There are more than 500 Freestanding Emergency Medical Centers across the United States and most were established after 2010. FEMCs offer high-quality emergency care to patients in fully licensed facilities. Just as hospital-based ERs operate 24/7 and have emergency-trained physicians on-site at all times, so do FEMCs.

Dr. Cassidy recognized that the statute needed to be modernized to reflect the improved delivery of healthcare. As a result, he filed S. 3531, the Emergency Care Improvement Act, which would provide Medicare and Medicaid recognition of Freestanding Emergency Medical Centers, so they can continue to serve Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare patients and be partially compensated for the care provided. This legislative solution?endorsed by both the National Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (NAFEC) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)?would also help to enable expanded FEMC growth in rural areas.

"I introduced this bill because it provides Medicare and Medicaid patients with better access to emergency medical care, reduces their out-of-pocket costs, while also saving taxpayers money," said Dr. Cassidy.

To follow the bill's progress, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/y87nxe34

About Physicians Premier Emergency Rooms
As Freestanding Emergency Medical Centers, Physicians Premier ER offers patients a modern emergency room experience from the moment they walk through the doors, to paying the bill. Differences include being seen by a board-certified ER Physician, virtually no wait, fast on-site lab, Xray, and Cat Scan results, a singular bill for all services provided, locations closer to home, a relaxing environment, and swift referral to area hospitals if necessary. Texans have the right to choose their emergency care provider and to determine if they feel their health is threatened by a medical emergency. Physicians Premier ER accepts all private insurance and cash payments.

Bookmark mdpremier.com to find your nearest ER or call (361)986-0911.
Texas locations include Corpus Christi, Portland, Calallen, City Base in San Antonio, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Bryan-College Station, Round Rock, Central Austin, Bastrop, and Clear Lake, Houston; with two new locations coming soon in San Antonio.

SOURCE Physicians Premier ER