Idaho Enacts Improvements to PA Practice Act

Legislation Allows Collaboration to be Determined at Practice Level

March 24, 2021

Idaho Governor Brad Little signed legislation last week that gives PAs greater flexibility to meet the needs of patients without unnecessary administrative and regulatory burdens. SB 1093, led by the Idaho Academy of PAs (IAPA), moves to a collaborative practice environment for PAs and allows collaboration to be determined at the practice level.

“Idaho PAs are pleased that patients, particularly in rural underserved areas, will now have greater access to the high-quality care PAs provide,” said J. Nathan Thompson, PA-C, FHM, CAQ-HM, president of IAPA. “During the pandemic, PAs readily met the critical demand for healthcare in our state with the help of a proclamation issued by Gov. Little waiving many of the same provisions that SB 1093 is permanently removing from Idaho’s statutes. IAPA truly appreciates the Idaho Legislature’s unanimous passage of this important bill.”

SB 1093 revises Idaho statutes to describe PA practice as collaborative and removes references to supervising physicians and physician delegation. Under the new law, collaboration must be determined by the facility or practice and PAs are required to collaborate with at least one physician. The physician is not required to be identified if more than one physician works in the facility or practice. In facilities that have a credentialing and privileging system, the degree of collaboration shall be set forth in facility bylaws and procedures. In all other facilities and practices, a written collaborative practice agreement is required.

[Support AAPA’s policy and efforts – join or renew your membership today]

The new law also makes PAs responsible for the care they provide and repeals the requirements for medical board approval to supervise PAs, delegation of services agreements, and continuous supervision of PAs by physicians.

AAPA applauds IAPA’s hard work to advance this legislation that achieves significant improvements for PAs and patients in Idaho. AAPA worked closely with IAPA to refine bill language and provided strategic counsel and grassroots advocacy support.

The bill becomes effective July 1, 2021. For additional information on SB 1093, the full version of the bill is available here on the Idaho Legislature’s website.

You May Also Like
Utah PAs Celebrate Enactment of Major PA Modernization Legislation
PAs Recognized as Vital to Nationwide COVID-19 Vaccine Administration
Utah PA Shares Experience Facing Outdated Laws and Red Tape