Glossary · Care and services
What is an emergency medical condition?
An emergency medical condition is an illness, injury, symptom, or condition so serious that a reasonable person would seek care right away to avoid severe harm.
Definition and figures from HealthCare.gov glossary, checked October 23, 2026. This page explains the term; it does not recommend a plan.
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Expand my textEmergency medical condition: the facts
| Item | Fact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Test | What a reasonable person would do to avoid severe harm | HealthCare.gov glossary: Emergency medical condition |
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What does emergency medical condition mean in health insurance?
An emergency medical condition is an illness, injury, symptom, or condition so serious that a reasonable person would seek care right away to avoid severe harm.