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HB19-1095

Physician Assistants Supervision And Liability

Concerning physician assistants, and, in connection therewith, establishing requirements for the supervision of physician assistants, establishing liability for physician assistants, increasing the number of physician assistant members on the Colorado medical board, and making an appropriation.
Session:
2019 Regular Session
Subject:
Health Care & Health Insurance
Bill Summary

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.)

Status

Introduced
Passed
Became Law

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Bill Text

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