HB 209 -- Collaborative Practice Privileges and Physician
Assistant Supervision

Sponsor:  Schaaf

This bill grants the same rights and privileges as those given to
nurses under collaborative agreements to medical students who
have completed two years of medical school and entered into the
clinical rotation phase of their training.

The definition of "supervision" of physician assistants is
expanded to allow supervising physicians to be available via
telecommunications for consultation, assistance, or intervention.
Supervising physicians must be present a minimum of 80% of the
clinic's hours for practice supervision and collaboration when
utilizing physician assistants.  Prior to allowing a physician
assistant to practice without the physician being physically
present, the physician assistant will practice for one month with
the supervising physician continuously present.  No physician
will supervise more than three physician assistants; however,
this provision does not apply to physician agreements with
hospital employees.  Physician assistants must practice within 30
miles of the supervising physician, and the supervising agreement
between the physician and physician assistant must designate the
primary location of practice.

The bill also voids any agreements or contracts which require the
physician as a condition of employment to act as a supervising
physician for any physician assistant, limit the physician's
supervising authority, or require the supervising physician to be
employed by an entity in which the physician assistant has a
financial interest.

After January 1, 2007, applicants for a physician's assistant
license must have a master's degree in a health or medical
science related field.

The bill prohibits discrimination against nonboard certified
physicians by hospitals that employ advanced practice nurses or
physician assistants.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:18 am