Bill > S1502

This bill aims to remove several regulatory barriers for physician assistants (PAs) in Massachusetts, expanding their professional autonomy and practice rights. The legislation modifies existing laws to allow PAs to perform medical services within their education, training, and competence without requiring specific guidelines from supervising physicians. The bill ensures that PAs can order tests and therapeutics, bill insurers directly, and receive direct payment for medically necessary services. It requires PAs to complete 2,000 hours of collaborative practice in a hospital or integrated clinical setting as a condition of registration, establishing a collaborative agreement that defines the working relationship between PAs and physicians. The bill also removes references to supervising physicians in various sections of Massachusetts law, effectively reducing administrative constraints on PA practice. Additionally, it mandates that insurers cover PA services under the same terms as physician services and prohibits imposing practice restrictions more stringent than those required by law. The overall intent is to recognize PAs as skilled healthcare professionals capable of providing comprehensive patient care with greater independence while maintaining professional standards and collaborative relationships with physicians.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1502