Scope of Practice and Prior Authorization Bills Take Center Stage

Many state legislatures are holding legislative sessions though there are several states that have either adjourned or will adjourn soon. The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) tracks legislation at the state level that impacts radiologist and their patients. Below are a few we wanted to highlight. 

Scope of Practice

Minnesota

House File 88 / Senate File 1084 would change the title "physician assistant" to "physician associate." 

Missouri

House Bill (HB) 392 would allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice independently after completing 4,000 hours of practice in a collaborative practice arrangement.

Senate Bill (SB) 144 would allow APRNs to practice independently after completing 2,000 hours of documented collaborative practice.

Nevada

SB 397 would allow naturopaths to order and perform physical and laboratory examinations for diagnostic purposes. This bill would also amend the definition of "physician" to include naturopaths in Nevada. 

SB 294 would allow physician assistants (PAs) with more than 4,000 hours of supervised practice to practice independently.

New Jersey

S 1983 would allow APRNs with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of practice to practice independently.

New York

A 5130 would allow PAs with more than 3,600 hours of practice to practice independently.

Oklahoma

HB 1812 would require the supervising physician of an APRN to be fully trained and qualified in the field of the APRN’s specialty or in the services and procedures the APRN is to provide. 

South Dakota

SB 102 would change the physician and PA relationship from one of supervision to one of collaboration.

Texas 

SB 3021 would allow APRNs, nurse midwives (CNMs), nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) to practice independently after practicing for three years under physician supervision.

HB 3415 would require healthcare professionals to use specific designations based on their qualifications and license.

HB 3794 /SB 1859 would allow APRNs to practice independently.

Washington

HB 1780 would prohibit PAs and APRNs from using the title "doctor" in clinical settings.

West Virginia

SB 660 would allow PAs and APRNs to practice independently.

Licensing

North Carolina

HB 590 would make the following changes regarding medical imaging and licensing in North Carolina:

• Only individuals licensed in North Carolina are allowed to perform or offer to perform radiologic imaging or radiation therapy procedures on humans for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
• This bill would also create the North Carolina Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners.
• The North Carolina Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners would establish licensure standards for a wide variety of modalities and professions, including, but not limited to, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine technologists (NMT) and radiologic assistants (RA). 

Prior Authorization

Alabama

HB 515 would impose the following limitations on how insurers employ artificial intelligence (AI) in review:

• A competent healthcare professional must always decide whether to cover or deny treatment.
• A competent healthcare professional may consult with or consider a recommendation by AI but must also consider the circumstances of the insured as assessed by the attending healthcare provider.
• Health insurers would also be required to disclose to individuals enrolled in the health benefit plan, and to network health care providers, that AI is used in making coverage determinations.
• People who claim to be injured because of a health insurer's use of AI may have a civil action for damages.

For more information about these bills, contact Dillon Harp, ACR Senior State Government Relations Specialist.

ACR is committed to supporting its chapters in their state-level advocacy efforts. The College also offers resources for members through the State Issues page and can assist with delivering legislative calls to action and grassroots mobilization.

ACR partners 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 or receive state-specific reports from Fiscal Note.

For state-level calls to action or to sign up to receive Fiscal Note reports, chapter leaders should contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Relations Director, or Melody Ballesteros, ACR Assistant Director of Government Relations.