The new statutes will take effect on March 22 and changes include:
1. PAs will be unable to practice unless they have a “practice agreement” with required provisions. Otherwise, they could lose their license.
2. PAs can broaden their scope of practice if they’re compliant with the practice agreement. The broader scope practice wouldn’t include additional administrative or supervisory burden for physicians.
3. Practice agreements are required to include the process for communication between PAs and physicians; protocol for designating alternative physicians for consultations when necessary; Signature of both parties; termination provision; responsibilities of both parties; and the PA’s credentials.
4. The expanded scope of practice allows PAs to possess responsibility for the quality of medical services; enter orders into patient charges; go on rounds; and prescribe and order drugs.
5. The state licensing boards reserved the right to govern the ratio of PAs to physicians under the practice agreements in the future.
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