Bill > H4617

This bill modifies several chapters of Massachusetts law to allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to perform certain medical tasks that were previously restricted to physicians. Specifically, the bill enables APRNs to conduct diagnostic evaluations, make medical necessity determinations, provide certifications, write orders, prescribe treatments, and issue prescriptions in circumstances where existing law previously required these actions to be performed by a physician. These changes apply to multiple chapters of insurance law, including chapters covering health insurance, medical service plans, hospital service plans, and health maintenance organizations. The bill is careful to explicitly state that these modifications do not expand the scope of practice for APRNs beyond what is already defined in section 80B of chapter 112. Additionally, the bill updates language in related sections to use more inclusive terminology, such as replacing "treating physician" with "treating provider" and adding "advanced practice registered nurse" to descriptions of who can perform certain medical tasks. The overall intent appears to be removing administrative barriers that might prevent APRNs from fully utilizing their professional capabilities in patient care.

Health and Social Services

Joint Committee on Financial Services (Joint)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4617