The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) state government relations staff tracks hundreds of pieces of state legislation each year. Here’s a look at how legislation ranging from scope of practice to prior authorization has fared this state legislative cycle.
Scope of Practice
Michigan
House Bill (HB) 4472 would require physician assistants (PA) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) to practice within a physician-led healthcare team and maintain collaboration and consultation with a physician member of the care team through a written practice agreement.
The Michigan Radiological Society supports the bill. HB 4472 was referred to the House Health Policy Committee.
Nebraska
Legislative Bill 823 would enjoin Nebraska into the physician assistant (PA) licensure compact. This compact allows PAs who meet its eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.
Legislative Bill 823 was referred to the Committee on Health and Human Services.
New York
Assembly Bill 4150 would allow a chiropractor to order and perform X-ray and diagnostic imaging studies but would not allow chiropractors to use ionizing radiation sources for radiotherapy.
The New York State Radiological Society opposes the bill. Assembly Bill 4150 was referred to the Assembly Higher Education Committee.
Virginia
HB 324 would enjoin the Commonwealth of Virginia into the PA licensure compact. This compact allows PAs who meet its eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.
HB 324 has passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting action by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Vermont
HB 572 would enjoin Vermont into the PA licensure compact.
HB 572 was referred to the House Committee on Health Care.
Prior Authorization
Mississippi
Senate Bill 2140 makes the following changes regarding prior authorization:
- A health insurance issuer must maintain a complete list of services for which prior authorization is required.
- Clinical reviews must be based on nationally recognized, generally accepted standards.
- A health insurance issuer must ensure that a physician reviews all appeals.
- Prior authorization approvals shall be valid for six months.
Senate Bill 2140 became law without Governor Tate Reeves’s signature.
Wyoming
HB 14 makes the following changes regarding prior authorization:
- Any prior authorization must be posted online.
- Adverse decisions must be made by a physician.
- Outpatient service prior authorizations shall be valid for one year.
- Prior authorizations for inpatient services shall be valid for a length of time based on the patient's clinical condition.
HB 14 was signed into law by Governor Mark Gordon.
The ACR has partnered with Fiscal Note, a legislation and regulation tracking service, to provide continuous, comprehensive updates on radiology and healthcare-related legislation. To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the ACR policy map.
For more information about state legislative activities, or if you’d like to have access to Fiscal Note, contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Affairs Director, or Dillon Harp, ACR Senior Government Relations Specialist.