DELEGATION TO PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT S.B. 1145:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 1145 (as introduced 5-24-12)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Health Code to revise provisions related to the rules regulating a physician's delegation of drug prescription to a physician's assistant (PA), and include in Part 175 (Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery) language that exists in Part 170 (Medicine) regarding the delegation of duties to a PA.
Drug Prescription
Under Part 170, the Board of Medicine may promulgate rules for the delegation by a supervising physician to a PA of the function of prescription of drugs. Under the bill, this would apply subject to Section 17076(3) and (4).
Under subsection (3), a PA may prescribe drugs as a delegated act of a supervising physician in accordance with procedures and protocol establish by rule of the appropriate board. A PA may prescribe a drug, including a controlled substance in Schedules 2 to 5, as a delegated act of the supervising physician. Under subsection (4), a PA may order, receive, and dispense complimentary starter dose drugs, including the specified controlled substances, as a delegated act of a supervising physician. Under both subsections, both the PA's name and the supervising physician's name must be used, recorded, or otherwise indicated so that it is known under whose delegated authority the PA is prescribing. With regard to a controlled substance, both the PA's and the supervising physician's DEA registration numbers must be used, recorded, or otherwise indicated in connection with the prescription.
Part 175 contains a similar provision regarding the promulgation of rules by the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery for the delegation by a supervising physician to a PA of the function of prescription of drugs. Part 175 also contains the same provisions regarding delegation of the ordering, receipt, and dispensing of complimentary starter dose drugs. The bill would add language similar to that in Part 170 authorizing a PA to prescribe drugs as a delegated act and requiring the use of both the PA's and supervising physician's name in connection with a delegated prescription. The rules promulgated by the Board would be subject to those conditions.
Other Duties
Part 170 allows a PA to make calls or go on rounds under the supervision of a physician in private homes, public institutions, emergency vehicles, ambulatory care clinics, hospitals,
intermediate or extended care facilities, health maintenance organizations, nursing homes, or other health care facilities. Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, a PA may make calls or go on rounds without restrictions on the time or frequency of visits by the physician or the PA. The bill would add similar language to Part 175.
MCL 333.17048 & 333.17548 Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.