NHSPA Celebrates New Law Allowing PAs to Receive Direct Payment

Law Also Replaces Supervisory Framework with Practice-based Collaboration

June 10, 2022

On June 7, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed Senate Bill 228, the top legislative priority for the New Hampshire Society of PAs (NHSPA). The bill allows PAs to bill and receive direct payment from insurers, one of the pillars of Optimal Team Practice (OTP).

In addition to direct pay, SB 228 improves PA practice in New Hampshire by:

• replacing the current outdated supervisory framework with practice-based collaboration;
• requiring PAs to maintain a collaboration agreement on file at their place of employment, rather than submit the name of a Registered Supervising Physician (RSP) to the Board of Medicine;
• making PAs legally responsible (liable) for the care they provide;
• allowing PAs to provide voluntary or emergency care without the need for a collaboration agreement.

“This legislative victory is the result of the hard work and determination of NHSPA on behalf of the PAs of New Hampshire and our patients,” NHSPA President Steve Alexakos, MS, PA-C, said. “Over the last two years, PA practice and patient access to PA-provided care in New Hampshire has greatly improved as a result of NHSPA’s efforts – from the elimination of PA-physician ratios through updated regulations in 2021, to SB 228 in 2022.”

AAPA provided NHSPA support throughout the process, including drafting and reviewing legislative language, conducting research, awarding OTP grant funding and submitting letters of support.

The new law goes into effect August 8, 2022.

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