sb173.html

05 SB173/AP

Senate Bill 173

By: Senators Unterman of the 45th, Thomas of the 54th, Smith of the 52nd and Henson of the 41st

AS PASSED

AN ACT

To amend Code Section 43-34-103 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to application for physiciańs assistant and scope of duties, so as to authorize physiciańs assistants to enter into certain temporary practice agreements to provide services at certain facilities; to provide conditions and limitations on such temporary practice agreements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 43-34-103 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to application for physiciańs assistant and scope of duties, is amended by adding a new subsection (h) to read as follows:

"(h) A physician and a physiciańs assistant may enter into a temporary practice agreement exempt from any filing fees with the board by which agreement the physician supervises the services provided by the physiciańs assistant to patients at a specific facility or program operated by any organization exempt from federal taxes pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, provided that:

(1) Such services are provided primarily to financially disadvantaged patients;

(2) Such services are free or at a charge to the patient based solely on the patient́s ability to pay and provided, further, that such charges do not exceed the actual cost to the facility or program;

(3) The supervising physician and the physiciańs assistant voluntarily and gratuitously donate their services;

(4) Prior to providing any patient services, a copy of the temporary practice agreement, signed by both the supervising physician and the physiciańs assistant, is on file at the facility or program and is sent to the board;

(5) The temporary practice agreement is for a specified period of time, limits the services of the physiciańs assistant to those within the usual scope of practice of the supervising physician, and is signed by both the supervising physician and the physiciańs assistant prior to the physiciańs assistant providing patient services; and

(6) The facility or program has notified the board of its intent to provide patient services and utilize licensed physicians and physiciańs assistants under the conditions set out in this subsection."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.