HB1167
To Modify The Signature Authority For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses And Physician Assistants; And To Clarify That Durable Medical Equipment Includes Diabetic Shoes And Shoe Inserts.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1167, aims to modify signature authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) in Arkansas. It clarifies that when a law or rule requires a physician's signature or certification, an APRN or PA may fulfill that requirement under specific circumstances. These circumstances include certifying disability for disabled parking permits. It also permits APRNs and PAs to sign for various medical and administrative forms. These forms cover authorizations for sports physicals, bus driver physicals, do-not-resuscitate orders, jury duty excuses due to illness, death certificates, and workers' compensation forms. Furthermore, the bill expands the definition of durable medical equipment to explicitly include diabetic shoes and shoe inserts. This inclusion is specifically for devices designed to prevent skin breakdown and foot ulcers in diabetic patients with existing foot disease.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physician Assistants, as their scope of practice and ability to sign off on various medical and administrative documents would be expanded. Patients in Arkansas, particularly those requiring diabetic shoes and shoe inserts, would also benefit from increased accessibility to these items and potentially quicker processing of related authorizations. Furthermore, entities that rely on physician signatures for forms like disabled parking permits, athletic participation clearances, and jury duty excuses could see increased efficiency and reduced administrative burdens.
Who Might Suffer?
Physicians in Arkansas might be negatively impacted by this bill as their exclusive authority to sign certain documents is being shared with APRNs and PAs, potentially altering established referral patterns or administrative processes. Additionally, some administrative offices or insurance providers that have historically processed documents solely based on physician signatures might need to adapt their procedures to accept signatures from APRNs and PAs, which could initially lead to confusion or administrative adjustments.