Hospital care for alcoholics
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Hospital care for alcoholics
My ex-husband is in ICU at a hospital. He is an alcoholic without insurance and is dealing with a great deal of medical issues from drinking. The hospital wants to discharge straight out of ICU and is saying that there is a state law that hospitals can’t or don’t have to treat alcoholics.
Asked on May 21, 2019 under Malpractice Law, Missouri
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
Hospitals are never required to treat anyone, other than emergency care (e.g. in the ER or in ther ICU if brought to the ICU from the ER) if there is no insurance or guaranty of payment. Most hospitals do not provide charity care when payment is in issue and are not required to do so. This hospital can decline to keep or treat your husband once he is stable enough for a discharge from the ICU.
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