I want to come to you with my raw feelings of pain, anguish, tears, and a heavy heart. I want you to feel and see my vulnerability. I plead with you to not disregard or diminish my sorrow. I am grieving My Dear White Friends! You are My White Friends that welcomed me with an open heart when you saw me at the office, grocery store, library, school, park, church, movie theater, community center, gym, City Hall, and restaurants. Even though I could not show you my vulnerability because I did not want you to think
of me as timid or aggressive, I am carrying years of pain caused by the implicit and explicit bias of discrimination. Unfortunately, to make you feel safe and comfortable, I made sure to stay in the imaginary box you created for me and continue to be an abiding citizen in the system and institution you chose for me.

My Dear White Friends, you might say, “I was not there to create those systems and institutions to choke you literally and figuratively.”

But, I ask, “Where were you when they chose to defund the education system so my neighborhood school was left without support while expected to educate me? Where were you when they left my neighborhoods without grocery stores for miles and filled it with liquor and convenience stores? Where were you when they decided my neighborhood did not need parks, sidewalks, and street lights that function?” My Dear White Friends, I know you are health conscious, but did you know that I am stricken with chronic illnesses, which could have been prevented if I was able to access healthy food and medical care? Where were you when the police officer who swore to serve and protect all pulled me over and made me pray that I wouldn’t die that day? My Dear White Friends, the education, health, justice, political, and economic systems have been putting their knees on my neck, only allowing me the breath needed for mere basic survival – But you chose silence!

I beg you, My Dear White Friends, find it deep in your heart to understand my frustration if you see me cry, scream, and protest peacefully. Do you not agree that I should breathe the same air you breathe? Walk and drive on the streets without fear as you do? Would you not agree that I should receive a quality education and good health care? Why should I be denied the same opportunities and promotions you are afforded simply based on the amount of melanin in my skin?

My Dear White Friends, hear me out – I have gifts, talents, passions, hopes, and aspirations as you do -do not disqualify me because of my skin color. I have great things to offer to our nation. Our differences make us beautiful, strong, and great. Please, do not let adversity lead us to utter destruction. My Dear White Friends, your silence is blocking my breathing. You are the privileged who must use your privilege for a good cause to ‘unchain’ and ‘unlock’ your friends like me who do not have that privilege.

Sincerely,
Your Black Friend

Rahem Mulatu grew up in the suburbs of Denver where she went to high school and college. She knows her community well and continues to build strong relationships. Her mother instilled in her the importance of serving others through her talents, resources, and time. As she matures and continues to grow in her passion, she has realized how salient it is to be part of the solution in the world that rapidly changes and continues to present different challenges. She continues to use her educational background, skills, and work experience in various places in her community. Her motto in life is ‘we all have a purpose in this world, which is to make our community a better place.’ She reminds herself to always strive to do what is best for all!

“I wrote this essay to share my honest feelings, but also to awaken consciousness and shed light on issues that continue to negatively impact Black people. Most importantly, to challenge everyone to take his/her part, question his/her innate motives, biases, intentions, and move forward as humans to make this place a safe and thriving community for all to live through diverse and thoughtful solutions.”

We at AHA are so grateful to Ms. Mulatu for sending this essay to us and we are delighted to share it with you with her permission.

The post My Dear White Friends, appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

Is your injury immediately life threatening?  If “NO” try your Primary Care Clinic if possible.  They know your medical history and it’s likely less expensive (unless your doctor has become a Zombie!).

The next best option is an Urgent Care Clinic:

If you have a life- or limb-threatening emergency, go to an Emergency Room.

But it’s best to figure out your options BEFORE the Zombie Apocalypse!

And remember, you can always Dial 9-1-1 and ask for clarification.

The post #12: Zombie Apocalypse: Know Where to Go if You’re Attacked by Zombies! appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

We hope you have benefited from the information we’ve presented in this “Know Where to Go” blog.  Here’s are some definitions in case you have any questions about terms we use.

Glossary of Terms

All Payer Claims Database: Administered by the Center for Improving Value in Health Care. A database for consumers to access claims data from government health plans (Medicare and Medicaid) and commercial health plans (large group, small group, and individual).[1]

American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine (AAUCM): A collective of skilled medical providers including physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners who practice Urgent Care Medicine. Since 1997 AAUCM has contributed to professional growth, scientific and medical research, and medical education to improve the quality of urgent care services.[2]

Aurora Health Access (AHA): A growing coalition of Aurora residents, healthcare providers, community agencies, and business leaders. Since 2010 AHA has been active in encouraging and building collaboration among community stakeholders to ensure access to care and expanding opportunities for health in Aurora.[3]

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+): “A public low-cost health insurance for certain children and pregnant women. It is for people who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to pay for private health insurance.”[4]

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF): Oversees and operates Colorado Medicaid, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), and other public health care programs in the state of Colorado. They strive to improve access to health care while using funding responsibly and sustainably.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE): Broadly serves the people of Colorado by providing, “high-quality, cost-effective public health and environmental protection services that promote healthy people and healthy places” (CHPHE, 2015, p.3). While focusing on essential programs and services, CDPHE continues to respond to emergent issues in order to comprehensively promote the health and safety of Coloradans.[5]

Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA): Colorado’s state regulatory department.[6]

Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA):A federal law that requires emergency departments to stabilize anyone coming to the facility for treatment regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.23

Free-standing emergency rooms/departments (FSER/FSED): According to the American College of Emergency Physicians, “A free-standing emergency department (FSED) is a facility that received individuals for emergency care and is structurally separate and distinct from a hospital.”[7]

CDPHE Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD): “Responsible for monitoring health care facilities and assuring that patients and residents receive quality care from health facilities and programs which are licensed and/or certified by the state.”[8]

Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA): A 501(c)(3) founded in November 2014. UCAOA is a group of urgent care business and clinical professionals throughout the United States. They work to promote urgent care as an essential part of the health care system. Members support this goal through education, advocacy, community awareness and benchmarking.[9]

Urgent Care Medicine (UCM)/ Urgent Care Center: AAUCM defines urgent care medicine as, “the provision of immediate medical service (no appointment necessary) offering outpatient care for the treatment of acute and chronic illness and injury.” [10]

[1] Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC). (n.d.). Colorado’s All Payer Claims Database. Retrieved from http://www.civhc.org/All-Payer-Claims-Database.aspx/ Accessed February 21, 2016.

[2] American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine (AAUCM). (2013). Brochure. Retrieved from http://aaucm.org/Resources/370/FileRepository/AAUCM%20Brochure%202013%20(web).pdf Accessed February 1, 2016.

[3] Aurora Health Access. (n.d.) About us. Retrieved from http://www.aurorahealthaccess.org/about-us/Accessed February 1, 2016. 

[4] Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. (2016). CHP+. Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/hcpf/child-health-plan-plus Accessed February 1, 2016.

[5] Wolk, L. (ca. 2015). Department implementation plan. Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/CDPHE2015-2016StrategicPlan-0915.pdf  Accessed February 1, 2016.

[6] Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora Accessed February 21, 2016. 

[7] American College of Emergency Physicians. (2013). Freestanding emergency departments, and information paper. Retrieved from https://www.acep.org/uploadedFiles/ACEP/Practice_Resources/issues_by_category/administration/Freestanding%20Emergency%20Departments%200713.pdf.  Accessed February 1, 2016.

[8] Introduction to public health services in Colorado. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.whatifcolorado.com/scorm/coursefiles/ph101/page1129.html.

 [9] Urgent Care Association of America. (n.d.). About Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA). Retrieved from http://www.ucaoa.org/?aboutUCAOA Accessed February 1, 2016.

[10] American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine. (2016). About the AAUCM. Retrieved from http://aaucm.org/about/default.aspx Accessed February 1, 2016. 

The post #11: Glossary of Terms for “Know Where to Go” Blog appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

We also suggest that you click on the links we have provided to their websites to familiarize yourself with each facility as part of your planning, and to be familiar with how to:

• check wait times online;
• use online check-in; and
• take advantage of downloadable forms to hasten your check-in process.

URGENT CARE CENTERS

CareNow Urgent Care

5620 S Parker Rd., Aurora, CO 80015,  720-446-5893. Online check-in available.

Concentra Urgent Care

15235 E 38th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011. (303) 340-3053.  (Near Chambers and I70)

Concentra Urgent Care – Aurora North

3449 Chambers Road, Suite B, Aurora, CO  80011.  720-859-6139.

Concentra Urgent Care – Aurora Southeast

10355 E Iliff Avenue, Aurora, CO  80247. 303-755-4955.  (Near Havana and Parker Road). 

NextCare Urgent Care

18890 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80013. 303-617-1604. (Near Hampden & Tower Road.) Online Check-In Available.

OnPoint Urgent Care, Aurora

24300 E. Smoky Hill Road, Suite 120, Aurora, CO 80016 303-330-0410 (Near Aurora Parkway; east of C470), 303-330-0410. Online check-in Available. . 

Rocky Mountain Urgent Care (a.k.a. Aurora Urgent Care)

13650 E Mississippi Ave, Aurora, CO 80012. 303-695.   (Near the intersection of E Mississippi Ave and S Potomac St.)  Online check-in available

ZipClinic Urgent Care

1250 S. Buckley Rd N., Aurora, CO 80017. 303-223-9863. (Corner of Buckley and Mississippi near Albertson’s). 

FREE-STANDING EMERGENCY ROOMS

Saddle Rock ER (Affiliated with The Medical Center of Aurora)

22500 E. Dry Creek Road, Aurora, CO 80016. 720- 376-6400

Southlands ER  (Affiliated with: Parker Adventist Hospital)

6159 S. Southlands Parkway, Aurora, CO 80016.  303-649-3000.

UCHealth ER (Aurora Central) (Affiliated with: UCHealth

15300 E Mississippi Avenue, Aurora, CO 80017. 303-617-4140.

UCHealth ER (Smoky Hill)  (Affiliated with: UCHealth)

25551 E Smoky Hill Rd., Aurora, CO 80016. 303-400-4280.

Please send additions or corrections to this list to info@aurorahealthaccess.org.

The post #10: List of Facilities, Aurora, CO appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

Urgent Care 

Even though urgent care clinics are usually not equipped to handle life-or-limb threatening emergency situations, if a patient comes to the clinic with a life-or-limb threatening emergency, the urgent care staff will usually call 9-1-1 and stabilize the patient while they wait for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to arrive. It’s important to note that in this situation, attention from trained medical personnel is better than no medical attention and they will help you make the right decisions.  Payments under these circumstances vary from case to case. 

Free-Standing Emergency Rooms

In Colorado, FSERs are bound by EMTALA and therefore must treat, screen, and stabilize any person coming to the facility with an emergency before asking for their insurance status or ability to pay out-of-pocket. However, once stabilized a patient will be responsible for covering the cost of care received either with insurance or out-of-pocket.

The FSER will usually bill insurance carriers with whom they already have contracts directly for their portion and then charge the patient for any deductible or co-pay that applies.  This is where you may get hit hard with a large bill, and if it is something that could have been treated at Urgent Care instead, you may kick yourself for the financial impact of that choice, but you won’t regret the care you’ve received.

Conclusion 

You have a right to be informed!  We hope this information will help you feel more confident about your ability to make the right choice if the need arises.

The post #9: Plan Your Visit appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

Urgent Care 

Even though urgent care clinics are usually not equipped to handle life-or-limb threatening emergency situations, if a patient comes to the clinic with a life-or-limb threatening emergency, the urgent care staff will usually call 9-1-1 and stabilize the patient while they wait for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to arrive. It’s important to note that in this situation, attention from trained medical personnel is better than no medical attention and they will help you make the right decisions.  Payments under these circumstances vary from case to case. 

Free-Standing Emergency Rooms

In Colorado, FSERs are bound by EMTALA and therefore must treat, screen, and stabilize any person coming to the facility with an emergency before asking for their insurance status or ability to pay out-of-pocket. However, once stabilized a patient will be responsible for covering the cost of care received either with insurance or out-of-pocket.

The FSER will usually bill insurance carriers with whom they already have contracts directly for their portion and then charge the patient for any deductible or co-pay that applies.  This is where you may get hit hard with a large bill, and if it is something that could have been treated at Urgent Care instead, you may kick yourself for the financial impact of that choice, but you won’t regret the care you’ve received.

Conclusion 

You have a right to be informed!  We hope this information will help you feel more confident about your ability to make the right choice if the need arises.

The post #8: What if I Make the Wrong Choice? appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

Urgent Care

In Colorado, urgent care clinics are not obligated to provide services to patients who are not able to pay. Because they are not licensed as facilities, they are not held to the same regulations as FSERs or hospital-based ERs; however, many urgent care clinics work with patients regardless of their insurance or payment status.

If an individual comes to an urgent care location with a true emergency, most centers will provide stabilizing services while waiting for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to arrive, further assess the patient’s condition, and transport them to another level of care if necessary.

The urgent care clinic will usually bill insurance carriers with whom they already have contracts directly for their portion, then charge the patient for any deductible or co-pay that applies.

For uninsured, low-income, and high deductible patients, urgent care clinics may offer special payment plans, though they are not required to do so. For example, the Health Advantage Plan offered by NextCare Urgent Care in Colorado is a monthly membership designed for frequent users of urgent care. In 2016, the plan includes a one-time enrollment fee of $135 made payable at the first urgent care visit. Initial enrollment covers three months and is non-refundable but members may drop membership at any time. Under the Health Advantage Plan each in-house visit after enrollment is $35. The cost and/or availability of this plan will vary from clinic to clinic.[1]

Health Advantage Plans are also offered by private and public insurance groups and may look different than NextCare’s plan.

Some urgent care clinics may offer one-time use plans for uninsured or underinsured patients who use urgent care less frequently. For example, ValueCare (also through NextCare Urgent Care in Colorado) offers discounted services after a one-time annual fee of $50. Regular office visits under this plan are $80 and clinical office visits are $135. Payment is due at time of service.[2]

Free-Standing Emergency Rooms

In Colorado, FSERs are bound by EMTALA and therefore must treat, screen, and stabilize any person coming to the facility with an emergency before asking for their insurance status or ability to pay out-of-pocket. However, once stabilized a patient will be responsible for covering the cost of care received either with insurance or out-of-pocket.

The FSER will usually bill insurance carriers with whom they already have contracts directly for their portion, then charge the patient for any deductible or co-pay that applies.

Both FSER and UCC

If you have insurance, you may wonder if a facility is “in-network” or “out-of-network” and what the impact on cost and care would be. 

Hospitals, FSERs, and urgent care centers may contract with a single insurance company or multiple companies, though they are not required to do so.

If the patient has an insurance plan which does not have a contract with the FSER or center, they are considered “out-of-network” and the amount billed to the patient will be higher than if their plan had a contract.

Or, if the patient is unable or unwilling to pay at the time of service, the patient may be refused care if not a true emergency, or may be stabilized and transferred by an FSER because the insurance plan is not “in-network.”

Conclusion 

You have a right to be informed!  We hope this information will help you “know where to go” if the need arises and what to expect regarding ability to pay.

[1] NextCare Urgent Care. (n.d.). Medical Discount Programs. Retrieved from https://nextcare.force.com/OrderApi__campaign?id=a1Wj00000014IumEAE Accessed March 13, 2016.

[2] NextCare Urgent Care. (n.d.). Medical Discount Programs. Retrieved from https://nextcare.force.com/OrderApi__campaign?id=a1Wj00000014Ib6  Accessed March 13, 2016.

The post #7: Ability to Pay appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

In Colorado, there are no regulatory requirements for specific services to be offered in urgent care clinics. The level and range of services vary from clinic to clinic. The Urgent Care Association of America lists baseline primary care services as well as more specific care that extends beyond typical primary care, but these are not required.[1]

Service Requirements for Free-Standing Emergency Rooms 

In order to receive licensing, FSERs must meet certain service requirements. They do not need to offer exactly the same service options as hospital-based emergency rooms (ERs), but they are often very similar.

It is important to note that in Colorado, FSERs are subject to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA).  Most hospitals in the United States are governed by EMTALA, which outlines, “when and how a patient may be refused treatment or transferred from one hospital to another when she/he is in an unstable medical condition.”[2]

The American College of Emergency Physicians outlines three obligations for hospitals under EMTALA: “

1. All individuals arriving at a FSER be provided an appropriate medical screening examination (MSE) by qualified medical personnel to determine whether or not the individual needs emergency care;”
2. If there is an emergency, treatment must be provided until the patient is stabilized;
3. Patients must be transferred to another hospital if the capacity to treat the condition cannot be met; and
4. Hospitals meeting capacity to treat transfers must accept transfers.[3]

Even when there is no emergency, emergency department and free-standing emergency room staff are required by law to “screen and stabilize” patients.

Conclusion 

You have a right to be informed!  We hope this information will help you “know where to go” if the need arises.

[1] Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA). (n.d.). Urgent care FAQ. Retrieved from http://www.ucaoa.org/page/faq Accessed January 29, 2016.

[2] Fosmire, M.S. (2009). Frequently asked questions about the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Retrieved from http://www.emtala.com/faq.htm Accessed February 15, 2016.

[3] American College of Emergency Physicians. (2014). News Media: EMTALA. Retrieved from http://www.acep.org/News-Media-top-banner/EMTALA/ Accessed February 15, 2016.

The post #6: Are free-standing emergency rooms and urgent care clinics required by law to provide certain services? appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

In Colorado, there are no on-site staff requirements for urgent care clinics as they are not held to facility regulation or licensing standards. The only regulations they are held to are through individual licensure of their on-site health professionals, which is overseen by the Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA).

The American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine (AAUCM) makes suggestions for staffing levels depending on the typical number of patients seen each day. For an urgent care clinic that sees between 35 and 60 patients per day, they recommend two front desk personnel; two back office clinical staff, one of whom is a basic machine operator (BMO) for X-rays and other clinical operations; one physician and one manager with cross-training for drug screens, blood alcohol tests (BAT), etc. This staffing model stays relatively the same, but personnel either increases or decreases, depending on the average number of patients.[i]

Again, these are only recommendations and urgent care staffing levels are not regulated in Colorado.

Staffing Requirements of Free-Standing Emergency Rooms 

To receive licensing in Colorado, FSERs must meet certain organizational and staffing requirements. Like hospital-based emergency departments, FSERs must be staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week. There is a defined organizational structure with a governing body that oversees the facility and staff. A Colorado-licensed physician must be appointed as a medical director. The medical director oversees the provider staff, which is responsible for delivery of quality care to patients. Additionally, an administrator must be on staff to direct daily activity and develop policies and procedures. Free-standing emergency rooms must also have a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician on site at all times.[ii]

The CDPHE HFEMS regulation guidelines (2009) broadly identify staffing requirements. Provider staff must be present at all times and at least one, “shall be qualified in basic cardiac life support and advanced cardiac life support” (p. 5).

Other personnel with, “qualifications as met by education, training, and experience necessary to meet the medical needs of the patients,” must also be present at all times (p. 3).3 This includes, “physicians, nurses, and relevant additional professional staff, such as pharmacists.”[iii]

The American College of Emergency Physicians has further recommendations for services and staff to be present at all free-standing emergency rooms. These include:

• be available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year;
• be staffed by appropriately qualified emergency physicians;
• have adequate medical and nursing personnel qualified in emergency care to meet the written emergency procedures and needs anticipated by the facility;
• be staffed at all times by a registered nurse (RN) with a minimum requirement of current certification in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support; and
• have policy agreements and procedures in place to provide effective and efficient transfer to a higher level of care if needed (i.e. catheter labs, surgery, ICU).[iv]

Conclusion 

As you can see, the staffing levels would account for a substantial proportion of the differences in costs between different types of facilities as discussed in Blog Post #3. We hope this information will help you “know where to go” if the need suddenly arises.

[i]  American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine. (2016). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from aaucm.org/faq/general/default.aspx Accessed February 11, 2016.

[ii] American College of Emergency Physicians. (2014). News Media: EMTALA. Retrieved from http://www.acep.org/News-Media-top-banner/EMTALA/ Accessed February 15, 2016.

[iii] Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (2016). Community clinics and community clinics with emergency rooms. Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/community-clinics-and-community-clinics-emergency-rooms  Accessed February 11, 2016.

[iv] American College of Emergency Physicians. (2014). News Media: EMTALA. Retrieved from http://www.acep.org/News-Media-top-banner/EMTALA/ Accessed February 15, 2016.

If you’ve been following this blog on the differences between free-standing emergency rooms and urgent care clinics, you may be interested in the staffing requirements.  The laws vary from state-to-state.  We are only reporting on Colorado.

Staffing Requirements of Urgent Care Clinics 

In Colorado, there are no on-site staff requirements for urgent care clinics as they are not held to facility regulation or licensing standards. The only regulations they are held to are through individual licensure of their on-site health professionals, which is overseen by the Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA).

The American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine (AAUCM) makes suggestions for staffing levels depending on the typical number of patients seen each day. For an urgent care clinic that sees between 35 and 60 patients per day, they recommend two front desk personnel; two back office clinical staff, one of whom is a basic machine operator (BMO) for X-rays and other clinical operations; one physician and one manager with cross-training for drug screens, blood alcohol tests (BAT), etc. This staffing model stays relatively the same, but personnel either increases or decreases, depending on the average number of patients.[i]

Again, these are only recommendations and urgent care staffing levels are not regulated in Colorado.

Staffing Requirements of Free-Standing Emergency Rooms 

To receive licensing in Colorado, FSERs must meet certain organizational and staffing requirements. Like hospital-based emergency departments, FSERs must be staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week. There is a defined organizational structure with a governing body that oversees the facility and staff. A Colorado-licensed physician must be appointed as a medical director. The medical director oversees the provider staff, which is responsible for delivery of quality care to patients. Additionally, an administrator must be on staff to direct daily activity and develop policies and procedures. Free-standing emergency rooms must also have a board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician on site at all times.[ii]

The CDPHE HFEMS regulation guidelines (2009) broadly identify staffing requirements. Provider staff must be present at all times and at least one, “shall be qualified in basic cardiac life support and advanced cardiac life support” (p. 5).

Other personnel with, “qualifications as met by education, training, and experience necessary to meet the medical needs of the patients,” must also be present at all times (p. 3).3 This includes, “physicians, nurses, and relevant additional professional staff, such as pharmacists.”[iii]

The American College of Emergency Physicians has further recommendations for services and staff to be present at all free-standing emergency rooms. These include:

• be available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year;
• be staffed by appropriately qualified emergency physicians;
• have adequate medical and nursing personnel qualified in emergency care to meet the written emergency procedures and needs anticipated by the facility;
• be staffed at all times by a registered nurse (RN) with a minimum requirement of current certification in advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support; and
• have policy agreements and procedures in place to provide effective and efficient transfer to a higher level of care if needed (i.e. catheter labs, surgery, ICU).[iv]

Conclusion 

As you can see, the staffing levels would account for a substantial proportion of the differences in costs between different types of facilities as discussed in Blog Post #3. We hope this information will help you “know where to go” if the need suddenly arises.

[i]  American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine. (2016). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from aaucm.org/faq/general/default.aspx Accessed February 11, 2016.

[ii] American College of Emergency Physicians. (2014). News Media: EMTALA. Retrieved from http://www.acep.org/News-Media-top-banner/EMTALA/ Accessed February 15, 2016.

[iii] Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (2016). Community clinics and community clinics with emergency rooms. Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/community-clinics-and-community-clinics-emergency-rooms  Accessed February 11, 2016.

[iv] American College of Emergency Physicians. (2014). News Media: EMTALA. Retrieved from http://www.acep.org/News-Media-top-banner/EMTALA/ Accessed February 15, 2016.

The post #5: What Are the Staffing Requirements? appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.

If you are a consumer and you are following this blog, you may wonder which facilities  can call themselves “Urgent Care” and or “Emergency Room.”  The laws vary from state-to-state, but here’s what you need to know in Colorado.

Licensure of Urgent Care Clinics 

In the state of Colorado, the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) oversees licensing of healthcare facilities.[1]

Urgent care clinics do not meet the definition of facility type under HFEMSD; therefore urgent care clinics in Colorado are not required to be licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and, as we mentioned in Blog Post #2, the use of the term “urgent care” is unregulated in Colorado.

Urgent care clinics are essentially regulated as a private physician’s office. Licensure comes under each individual center’s providers’ licensure, which is issued by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Only the medical providers employed by an urgent care clinic are licensed, not the facility itself. Urgent care clinics are not held to the same regulations as FSERs, but do require their on-staff providers to be licensed for medical practice. 

Although urgent care clinics are not licensed as facilities, specific services offered by the facility may be regulated. For example, if an urgent care clinic offers laboratory testing or has a portable X-ray machine on-site, permits are required for those services.

Licensure of Free-Standing Emergency Rooms 

As mentioned above, the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) oversees licensing of healthcare facilities[2]; therefore, FSERs are licensed as community clinic emergency centers (CCEC) and are one of the facility types subject to regulation.

In Colorado, FSERs must be licensed because they may be affiliated with hospitals, which are licensed and regulated.[3]^,

^[4]Conclusion 

While this information about licensing may seem very technical, and you may not be interested, you DO have a right to know.  We hope this information will help you “know where to go” if the need arises.

For more in-depth information on required standards and liability insurance of licensed healthcare facilities in Colorado, see the HFEMSD Manual (2011)[5] and the CDPHE Standards for Hospitals and Health Facilities (2009).[6]

[1] Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (2012). How to get licensed/certified. Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/HF_Licensure-Certification-Process-Flowchart.pdf Accessed February 3, 2016.

[2] Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. (2012). How to get licensed/certified. Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/HF_Licensure-Certification-Process-Flowchart.pdf Accessed February 3, 2016.

[3] T. Miller, personal communication, February 11, 2016.

[4] See 6 CCR 1001-1 Chap 9 2.101.

[5] Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division Policy Manual. (2011). Policy-licensure. Financial responsibility compliance requirements: Health Care Availability Act; and, federal grantees (Community clinics and community clinics/emergency centers) deemed covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act). Retrieved from https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/HF_Health-Care-Availability-Act-Policy.pdf  Accessed February 5, 2016.

[6] https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/standards-hospitals-and-health-facilities

The post #4: How Are Medical Facilities Licensed in Colorado? appeared first on Aurora Health Alliance.