State Bills Impacting Radiology: How Have They Fared?

As we reach the midpoint in many state legislative cycles, the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) state government relations team is providing an update about some of the bills they are tracking this year.

Scope of Practice

Alaska
Senate Bill (SB) 89 would permit independent practice by physician assistants (PAs) after 4,000 hours of practice. This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Health and Social Services. 

Arkansas 
House Bill (HB) 1134 would have enjoined Arkansas into the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Compact. This compact allows APRNs who meet eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states. The bill was withdrawn by its author. 

California
Assembly Bill (AB) 876 would allow a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) to order, evaluate and interpret diagnostic laboratory and radiological studies. This bill would also allow CRNAs to use and supervise the use of ultrasound, fluoroscopy and other technologies for diagnosis and care delivery. The bill was referred to the House Business and Professions Committee.

Mississippi
SB 2673 would have allowed CRNAs that complete 8,000 clinical practice hours to practice independently. The bill died in committee. 

Washington
HB 1430 would require health carriers to reimburse APRNs, PAs and physicians at the same rate for providing the same healthcare services. This bill passed the House and was referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Medicaid Payment 

Connecticut
SB 171 would require the Connecticut Commissioner of Social Services to raise Medicaid payment rates for radiological services. The bill was referred to the Joint Human Services Committee. 

Out-of-Network/Surprise/Balance Billing

Connecticut
SB 454 would allow covered persons to terminate coverage and procure alternate health insurance without penalty when such covered person’s healthcare provider(s) are designated out of network. This bill was referred to the Joint Insurance and Real Estate Committee. 

South Carolina
H 3302 would make the following surprise billing changes:  

• No health insurer may impose coinsurance, copayment, deductible or other out-of-pocket expenses for emergency services, including laboratory tests and services, provided by an out-of-network healthcare provider that is greater than the total expense that would be imposed if such emergency services were rendered by an in-network healthcare provider.
• If an insured receives emergency services from an out-of-network healthcare provider, including laboratory tests and services, the provider may bill the insurer directly and the insurer must reimburse the healthcare provider.
• An insurer may not require prior authorization for the rendering of emergency services, including laboratory tests and services.
• Surprise billing for emergency services would be classified as an unfair trade practice. 

This bill was referred to the House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.

Telemedicine

Missouri
HB 710 would make the following changes regarding telemedicine:

• Physicians licensed in Missouri that use telemedicine and/or prescribes any drugs, controlled substances or other treatment through telemedicine must ensure that a properly established physician-patient relationship exists. Such a relationship may be established by:
  
  •  An in-person encounter through a medical elevation and physical examination.
  • Consultation with another physician or physician’s delegate, who already has a relationship with the patient and has an agreement with the physician to participate.
  • A telemedicine encounter if the standard of care does not require an in-person encounter.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Health and Mental Health.

 

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.