What to do if the hospital refuses treatment?

What to do if the hospital refuses treatment? If hospital refuses treatment, steps depend on reason and urgency. In US, emergency departments must provide medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment under EMTALA law, regardless of ability to pay, so if you have emergency, they cannot refuse. If refusal occurs, ask for reason in writing and request to speak to patient advocate, charge nurse, or hospital administrator. Document details. If emergency, call 911 or go to another emergency department. If refusal based on insurance or inability to pay for non-emergency, contact hospital billing, social services, and patient advocacy for charity care or payment plans. File complaint with state health department, hospital licensing board, or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if EMTALA violation suspected. Contact legal aid if discrimination. Seek care at federally qualified health center or community clinic. For non-emergency, seek second opinion elsewhere. So if hospital refuses treatment, assert EMTALA rights for emergencies, escalate to advocate and administrator, document, seek alternative care, and file complaints with regulatory agencies if unlawful refusal.