Federal law requiring employers to offer continuation of health insurance coverage for at least 18 months to employees and their beneficiaries after any of the following: the death of a spouse, their current position has been terminated, work hours are reduced, left job voluntarily, or getting a divorce. Employees may have to pay both their share and the employer’s share of the premium. Generally, they may also have to pay an administrative fee. The law does not affect employers with fewer than 20 employees. However, some state laws may apply to employers with fewer than 20 employees. Legislation also includes protection for patients seeking emergency treatment in a hospital in that every hospital participating in the Medicare program must treat any patient in an emergency situation regardless of the patient’s ability to pay and the patient does not have to be on Medicare.