New Law Governing Physician Assistants
| The legislature has passed a new law governing Physician Assistants. Effective July 1, 2021, the change that most impacts handling of WC claims is that the law prohibits PA’s from assigning MMI or a PIR in a WC case. Section 458.347, Fla. Stat. Summary of Changes (effective July 1, 2021) · Increases the maximum number of P.A.’s per physician from 4 to 10. · P.A.’s permitted to prescribe medical devices and medications · Prescriptions written by P.A.’s must have the name of both the P.A. and the supervising physician · A P.A. may authenticate any document with his or her signature, certification, stamp, verification, affidavit or endorsement Such documents include medical examinations for workers’ compensation claims except medical examinations required for the evaluation and assignment of the claimant’s date of maximum medical improvement and for the impairment rating · P.A.’s may issue orders for physical therapy, occupational therapy, home health services or durable medical equipment · Payment for services within the P.A’s scope of practice must be made when ordered or performed by a P.A. if the same service would have been covered if ordered or performed by a physician. P.A.’s are authorized to bill for and receive direct payment for the services they deliver. · A fully licensed P.A. may procure medical devices and drugs unless the medication is listed on the formulary created pursuant to section 458.347(4)(f), F.S. o 458.347(4)(f) reads, “The council shall establish a formulary of medicinal drugs that a fully licensed physician assistant having prescribing authority under this section or s. 459.022 may not prescribe. The formulary must include general anesthetics and radiographic contrast materials and must limit the prescription of Schedule II controlled substances as listed in s. 893.03 to a 7-day supply. The formulary must also restrict the prescribing of psychiatric mental health controlled substances for children younger than 18 years of age.” |