Can a hospital charge for an emergency room overflow bed this is patient waiting to be place at another facility?

In the United States, hospitals can charge for an emergency room overflow bed if the patient is waiting to be placed at another facility. This is known as a "boarding fee." The amount of the fee can vary depending on the hospital and the length of time the patient is in the overflow bed.

Overflow beds are typically used when the emergency room is full and there are no other available beds in the hospital. Patients in overflow beds are usually given the same level of care as patients in regular hospital beds, but they may have to share a room with other patients or be placed in a hallway or other non-traditional location.

Boarding fees can be a significant financial burden for patients, especially if they are uninsured or underinsured. Some states have laws that limit the amount that hospitals can charge for boarding fees, and some hospitals offer discounts to patients who pay their bills in full.

If you are admitted to an emergency room and are placed in an overflow bed, be sure to ask about the cost of the boarding fee. You may also want to contact your insurance company to find out if they will cover the cost of the fee.