When the new Desert View Regional Medical Center opened in Pahrump almost three months ago, the hospital was not registered with Medicare, the government insurance program for those over 65 and for those with certain disabilities under 65.

As a result, many patients who received medical services at the emergency room did not have their care covered by the insurance and were left having to pay the bill.

"The hospital had to be in operation for a significant period of time before the Medicare program would certify us as a participating hospital," said David Rencher, chief executive officer for the hospital.

During the startup period, about six weeks from when the hospital opened April 27 until June 13, Medicare was not accepting claims for payment.

At the same time, under the federal EMTALA law, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act -- also known as the patient anti-dumping law -- hospital emergency rooms must admit and stabilize patients seeking care regardless of their ability to pay.

"The federal government passed a law and created a large gray area," Rencher said of the 1986 act.

It wasn't until just recently that the hospital earned its Medicare spurs, so to speak, and Desert View is now certified to accept Medicare claims.

But an unknown number of patients may have been left out of the loop based on the time they went in for treatment. Their Medicare claims for payment were not accepted because the hospital wasn't registered with the government agency that runs Medicare program.

"It's a very interesting startup situation in health care," said Rencher.

Rencher said patients who weren't able to get Medicare to pay their medical bill during the period should call or come by the hospital business office and the matter would be taken care of.

In the future all Medicare payments will be handled electronically, said Rencher. "It should not be a problem for anyone," he said.