Doctors Hospital of Manteca v. Kaiser Foundation H
We summarize only those facts that are relevant to our disposition of this appeal.
“Under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act [citation] and the Knox-Keene [Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 (the Knox-Keene Act)], hospitals and other medical providers have a statutory duty to provide ‘emergency [medical] services and care’ to persons who are in ‘danger of loss of life, or serious injury or illness.’ [Citations.] Under the Knox-Keene Act, the health care service plan . . . must, within 30 or 45 days, reimburse the hospital or other medical providers for the ‘emergency services and care provided to its enrollees’ as to (1) all care necessary for ‘stabilization’ of the enrollee, and (2) for all poststabilization care the plan authorizes the hospital to provide. [Citations.] When the hospital or other medical providers have a contract with the plan, the plan must reimburse them for the services at the ‘agreed upon contract rate.’
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