Advocacy Archives

AAPA Shares Update on State Medicaid Policies Pertaining to PAs

AAPA periodically issues a questionnaire to Medicaid agencies in all 50 states and D.C. to clarify policies pertaining to PAs. This year more states say they enroll PAs as billing providers – indicating that PAs are authorized to receive direct payment.

December 21, 2021

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Modernize Federal Workers’ Compensation Program

Modernizing the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act to cover services provided to injured federal workers by PAs has been priority for AAPA for many years. New legislation would update the current policy and allow federal employees to receive treatment from PAs and NPs.

December 3, 2021

CMS Releases 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Rule

As part of the final 2022 Physician Fee Schedule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized numerous Medicare coverage and payment policies that directly impact PAs. This is a brief summary of key policy changes which are effective January 1, 2022.

November 10, 2021

Pennsylvania Governor Signs Law Giving PAs Prominent Role in Regulation of the Profession

On Oct. 7, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bills 397 and 398, the top legislative priority for the Pennsylvania Society of PAs (PSPA). The bills create a permanent PA seat on the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine and the Pennsylvania Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

October 8, 2021

New Hampshire Eliminates Ratios Through Newly Adopted Rules

The New Hampshire Board of Medicine recently adopted amendments to the PA regulations that made significant improvements to PA practice in the state. The regulatory changes were the result of hard work by the New Hampshire Society of PAs (NHSPA) and AAPA.

August 26, 2021

Connecticut 2021 Legislative Session Ends with Major Wins for PAs and Patients

ConnAPA’s top legislative priority in 2021 recently became law, adding PAs to almost 80 areas of state law which only previously mentioned physicians and/or nurse practitioners. Connecticut law also now authorizes PAs and NPs to order home health and hospice care.

July 20, 2021

More Barriers to PA Practice Fall as Florida PAs Celebrate Legislative Win

PAs in Florida applaud the enactment of legislation that makes significant improvements to PA practice. House Bill 431 was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 29, modernizing several aspects of PA regulation.

June 30, 2021

Tennessee PAs Successful in Quest to Create a PA Board

The Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants secured a significant win for PAs in the state last month. On May 26, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed HB 1080, which establishes the Board of PAs – a tenet of Optimal Team Practice.

June 29, 2021

Oregon Governor Signs Legislation Replacing Physician Supervision with Collaborative Practice Environment

Oregon Governor Kate Brown recently signed legislation modernizing state statutes to reflect the collaborative way PAs provide patient care and making PAs responsible for the care they provide. The bill also made permanent changes to PA use of telehealth authorized during the pandemic.

June 28, 2021

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