What to do in a medical emergency

• ✺Recognizing true emergency symptoms and acting fast can be the difference between life and death in situations like heart attacks or strokes.
• ✺Knowing your rights under EMTALA and the No Surprises Act means you won't be turned away from care or hit with certain unexpected bills.
• ✺Understanding when to use urgent care instead of the ER can save significant money and time for non-life-threatening issues.

1. 1Assess whether the situation is life-threatening (chest pain, trouble breathing, severe bleeding, signs of stroke, loss of consciousness, etc.).
2. 2If yes, call 911 immediately or get someone nearby to call.
3. 3Give your location and a clear description of the emergency to the dispatcher.
4. 4Follow any instructions the dispatcher gives you while help is on the way.
5. 5If the situation is urgent but not life-threatening, consider urgent care or telehealth instead of the ER.
6. 6After stabilization, review bills with EMTALA and No Surprises Act protections in mind if anything looks wrong.

EMTALA

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, a federal law requiring ERs to treat and stabilize emergency patients regardless of ability to pay.

Urgent care

A walk-in clinic for treating non-life-threatening but time-sensitive medical issues, usually faster and cheaper than an ER.

911 dispatcher

The emergency operator who answers 911 calls, sends help, and can provide instructions until responders arrive.

No Surprises Act

A federal law limiting certain unexpected out-of-network bills, including for many emergency services.

• ✗Delaying a 911 call to first check insurance coverage during a true emergency.
• ✗Driving yourself to the ER during a severe emergency instead of calling 911, when an ambulance may provide critical care en route.
• ✗Going to the ER for non-emergency issues that urgent care could handle faster and cheaper.
• ✗Ignoring warning signs of serious conditions like stroke or heart attack, hoping they'll pass.

• !EMTALA requires emergency rooms to treat and stabilize you regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
• !The No Surprises Act limits certain unexpected bills for emergency care, even from out-of-network providers or facilities.
• !911 dispatchers can often talk you through CPR or basic first aid while help is on the way.
• !Urgent care centers are generally a faster, cheaper option for non-life-threatening but time-sensitive issues.

• Call 911 immediately for signs of a life-threatening emergency.
• Emergency rooms must treat and stabilize you regardless of insurance under EMTALA.
• The No Surprises Act limits certain unexpected emergency billing.
• Use urgent care or telehealth for non-life-threatening but time-sensitive issues.

Totally optional. Nobody's grading you.

1. 1.Learn the warning signs of common emergencies like heart attack and stroke.
2. 2.Know the location of the nearest ER and an urgent care clinic to your home.

Related lessons:

• Understanding medical records
• Understanding medical bills
• How to find a doctor

• Warning signs of a heart attack
  MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)(opens in a new tab)
• EMTALA overview
  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)(opens in a new tab)