Originally Posted by statdoc

I am one of the doctors who is obligated under the Federal law Wagner showed (EMTALA) to treat patients without regard for ability to pay. Your friend (obviously a non-medically-trained person) probably doesn't understand the difference we see between "emergency" and "non-emerg" conditions. If the person has a non-emerg condition, we are NOT obligated to provide care simply because the patient chose to use the ED as a "convenience clinic". Say, the patient has a runny nose and fever. They surely know they have nothing more serious than a cold, but they really want a work excuse for the day. We are not required to treat that patient beyond the initial exam. Many hospitals have policies in place that would, at that point, tell the patient that if you are willing to pay cash for the visit, the doctor will see you further. No promises on the treatment given (ie, we are not selling work excuses or pain med for certain amounts or anything like that).