Emergency physicians are fighting a state’s plan to limit non-emergency visits to hospital ERs.

The Washington state chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians is suing the state over its plan to limit Medicaid patients to three non-emergency ER visits a year.  Among the conditions the state is saying will not be considered emergencies are chest pains, breathing problems, and miscarriages.

With states constantly looking for new ways to limit their Medicaid expenses, the Washington plan could be a harbinger of things to come – and a lawsuit worth monitoring for providers everywhere.

Read the Seattle Times account of the suit here.

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