Section 518.1100 Freestanding Emergency Center Demonstration Program

a)         The Department shall conduct a freestanding emergency center (FEC) demonstration program for an initial period concluding on September 1, 1999 (Section 32.5(c) of the Act)

b)         A freestanding emergency center shall be licensed pursuant to this Part to be considered a participant in the program.

c)         A freestanding emergency center shall be located:

1)         In a municipality with a population of 60,000 or fewer inhabitants;

2)         Either in a municipality that has a hospital that has been providing emergency services but is expected to close by the end of 1997 or in a county with a population of more than 350,000 but less than 500,000 inhabitants;

3)         Within 15 miles of the hospital that owns or controls the freestanding emergency center; and

4)         Within 10 miles of the Resource Hospital affiliated with the freestanding emergency center as part of the EMS system.  (Section 32.5(a)(1) of the Act)

d)         The freestanding emergency center shall be wholly owned or controlled by an Associate or Resource Hospital, but shall not be a part of the hospital's physical plant.  (Section 32.5(a)(2) of the Act)

e)         A freestanding emergency center shall not describe itself or hold itself out to the general public as a full service hospital or hospital emergency department in its advertising or marketing activities.  (Section 32.5(a)(12) of the Act)