Centinela Freeman Emergency Medical Associates v. Health Net of California, Inc.

Opinion

CANTIL-SAKAUYE, C. J.

Both state and federal law require any licensed hospital that has appropriate facilities and qualified personnel to provide emergency medical services or care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. (Health & Saf. Code, § 1317, subds. (a), (b); 1 42 U.S.C. § 1395dd(b), (h).) If the patient is an enrollee in a health care service plan, 2 the plan is required by statute to reimburse the emergency service provider for necessary emergency medical services and care. (§ 1371.4, subd. (b).) Plans are permitted, however, to delegate this financial responsibility to their…