Physician Assistants Supervision And Liability

Medical practice - physician assistants - supervision requirements - liability - representation on Colorado medical board - appropriation. The act establishes supervisory requirements for physician assistants who:

• Have practiced for less than 3 years;
• Have practiced for 3 years or more; or
• Have practiced for at least 12 months and are making a substantive change in their scope of practice or practice area.

The act states that a licensed physician may be responsible for the direction and supervision of up to 8 physician assistants at any one time. A licensed physician shall not be made responsible for the direction and supervision of more than 4 physician assistants unless the licensed physician agrees to assume the responsibility.

The act adds one more physician assistant as a member of the Colorado medical board (board), for a total of 2 physician assistant members, and adds a fourth member to the licensing panel established by the board president, which fourth member must be a physician assistant board member.

The act states that a physician assistant who has practiced for at least 3 years may be liable for damages resulting from negligence in providing care to a patient, unless the damages occur as a result of the physician assistant following a direct order from a supervising physician, and shall maintain professional liability insurance in an amount not less than $1 million per claim and $3 million for all claims.

For the 2019-20 fiscal year, the act appropriates $4,650 to the department of regulatory agencies for use by the division of professions and occupations.

Specified provisions of the act are contingent upon House Bill 19-1172 becoming law.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)