SB 273 - This act modifies the regulation of physician's assistants. Section 334.735 currently regulates physician's assistants (PA). The act modifies the definition of "supervision" to require "direct, on-site" control in the same office where a physician is present. The act prohibits a PA from performing any of the procedures listed in 334.735.3 on a new patient without the prior review of the supervising physician. For the treatment of existing patients, the PA must obtain prior approval through a documented order, signed and dated by the physician. Any PA practicing under a physician supervision agreement must notify the Board of Registration for the Healing Arts in order for the Board to track the agreement and make it available to the public.

Language is also added requiring PAs to carry individual liability insurance in an amount no less than 1 million dollars. Finally, a new subsection 10 is added to state that it will be against public policy to make contracts or agreements that require a physician to supervise a PA without also providing a right to refuse supervision if the PA is not believed to be appropriately competent.

This act is identical to SB 874 (2000).
ERIN MOTLEY