§ 2590.716-3 Definitions.

The definitions in this part apply to §§ 2590.716 through 2590.722, unless otherwise specified. In addition, for purposes of §§ 2590.716 through 2590.722, the following definitions apply:

Air ambulance service means medical transport by a rotary wing air ambulance, as defined in 42 CFR 414.605, or fixed wing air ambulance, as defined in 42 CFR 414.605, for patients.

Cost sharing means the amount a participant or beneficiary is responsible for paying for a covered item or service under the terms of the group health plan or health insurance coverage. Cost sharing generally includes copayments, coinsurance, and amounts paid towards deductibles, but does not include amounts paid towards premiums, balance billing by out-of-network providers, or the cost of items or services that are not covered under a group health plan or health insurance coverage.

Emergency department of a hospital includes a hospital outpatient department that provides emergency services.

Emergency medical condition has the meaning given the term in § 2590.716–4(c)(1).

Emergency services has the meaning given the term in § 2590.716–4(c)(2).

Health care facility, with respect to a group health plan or group health insurance coverage, in the context of non-emergency services, is each of the following:

(1) A hospital (as defined in section 1861(e) of the Social Security Act);

(2) A hospital outpatient department;

(3) A critical access hospital (as defined in section 1861(mm)(1) of the Social Security Act); and

(4) An ambulatory surgical center described in section 1833(i)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act.

Independent freestanding emergency department means a health care facility (not limited to those described in the definition of health care facility with respect to non-emergency services) that—

(1) Is geographically separate and distinct and licensed separately from a hospital under applicable State law; and

(2) Provides any emergency services as described in § 2590.716–4(c)(2)(i).

Nonparticipating emergency facility means an emergency department of a hospital, or an independent freestanding emergency department (or a hospital, with respect to services that pursuant to § 2590.716–4(c)(2)(ii) are included as emergency services), that does not have a contractual relationship directly or indirectly with a group health plan or group health insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer, with respect to the furnishing of an item or service under the plan or coverage, respectively.