Hawaii and Georgia advance bills about lung and breast cancer screenings. Illinois’ House passed legislation modifying out-of-network provisions. Hawaii and New Hampshire pass legislation that would expand the scope of practice for physician assistants (PAs).
Cancer Screening
In Georgia, Senate Bill (SB) 487 passed the Senate. If enacted, the bill would require carriers to cover mandated services for mammography at least as favorably as coverage for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, including breast MRI, ultrasound or mammogram.
In Hawaii, the House Health, Human Services and Homelessness Committee passed SB 3367, which would establish a task force to research necessary steps and resources to increase early lung cancer screening. The chairperson of the task force would invite at least one representative from an organization representing healthcare providers with relevant lung cancer screening expertise.
The Hawaii Radiological Society supports the bill.
Out-of-Network Billing
In Illinois, House Bill (HB) 4703 passed the House and was referred to the Senate Insurance Committee. If enacted, the bill would mandate carriers cover emergency and ancillary services from an out-of-network provider or facility at the in-network rate. The bill would define ancillary services to include radiology.
The Illinois Radiological Society is monitoring the measure.
Scope of Practice
In Hawaii, the Senate Committee on Health passed HB 1575. If enacted, the bill would expand the definition of a patient’s provider to include PAs.
The Hawaii Radiological Society is monitoring the bill.
In Louisiana, HB 543 and SB 158 were referred to their respective health and welfare committees. HB 543 would define an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) that has 10 years of clinical health experience and completed collaborative practice hours as a consulting practitioner. APRNs with 2,080 collaborative practice hours and successful completion of coursework in advanced physical assessment and diagnostic reasoning, advanced pharmacology, and advanced pathophysiology would be exempt from a collaborative practice agreement. If enacted, SB 158 would change the practice agreement between a PA and physician to a collaborative agreement.
The Radiological Society of Louisiana is opposed to SB 158 and is monitoring HB 543
In New Hampshire, SB 228 passed the Senate. Bill sponsors seek to change the practice agreement between a PA and physician to a collaborative agreement.
The New Hampshire Radiological Society is monitoring the measure.
For more information about these bills or any other state legislative issue, contact Tina Getachew, American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Government Affairs Specialist.
ACR has partnered with Fiscal Note, a legislation and regulation tracking service, to provide continuous, comprehensive updates on radiology and healthcare related legislation. Members can opt in for Fiscal Note reports by contacting Eugenia Brandt, ACR Director of State Government Affairs.
To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the ACR policy map.