Current Issues
SB 678 - Balance Billing
This bill essentially directs out-of-network hospital-based physicians to bill a patient’s insurer rather than a patient for their services. The amount the insurer pays is defined as “the out-of-network amount due under the health insurance policy”, an amount determined unilaterally by the insurer. The bill also requires notification of patients before a hospital admission if out-of-network physicians will likely provide any of their care.
SB 678 addresses almost all specialties who may provide services at hospitals, rehab facilities, ambulatory surgical facilities or clinics. It would not be out of the realm to see extension of such rules to all physicians, even those with only outpatient private practices.
PSA opposes this bill. It does little to attack the real causes of rising patient out-of-pocket costs, narrow insurer networks and the market power of Pennsylvania’s four major insurers who hold us all hostage with rising costs and decreased coverage.
HB 789 - Requiring by statute physician involvement in all anesthesia care in hospitals
We continue to build support in the House for the supervision bill (HB 789) introduced by Rep. Jim Christiania. The bill places into the Medical Practices Act the Department of Health regulation that a physician must supervise the administration of anesthesia.
The legislation has the support of both the Republican and Democratic chairmen of the House Professional Licensure Committee and we are in discussions with them on legislative strategies to move the bill. We are also working on building support for the supervision bill in the Senate.
SB 274 - CRNA Titling Bill
PSA remains opposed to the bill as it is currently written. PSA is open to supporting the bill if it is amended to include scope of practice and proper supervision provisions.
SB 25 - Nurse Independent Practice
The Nurse Independent Practice Bill (SB 25), which does not include CRNAs, passed the Senate but there has been no movement in the House.
This bill essentially directs out-of-network hospital-based physicians to bill a patient’s insurer rather than a patient for their services. The amount the insurer pays is defined as “the out-of-network amount due under the health insurance policy”, an amount determined unilaterally by the insurer. The bill also requires notification of patients before a hospital admission if out-of-network physicians will likely provide any of their care.
SB 678 addresses almost all specialties who may provide services at hospitals, rehab facilities, ambulatory surgical facilities or clinics. It would not be out of the realm to see extension of such rules to all physicians, even those with only outpatient private practices.
PSA opposes this bill. It does little to attack the real causes of rising patient out-of-pocket costs, narrow insurer networks and the market power of Pennsylvania’s four major insurers who hold us all hostage with rising costs and decreased coverage.
HB 789 - Requiring by statute physician involvement in all anesthesia care in hospitals
We continue to build support in the House for the supervision bill (HB 789) introduced by Rep. Jim Christiania. The bill places into the Medical Practices Act the Department of Health regulation that a physician must supervise the administration of anesthesia.
The legislation has the support of both the Republican and Democratic chairmen of the House Professional Licensure Committee and we are in discussions with them on legislative strategies to move the bill. We are also working on building support for the supervision bill in the Senate.
SB 274 - CRNA Titling Bill
PSA remains opposed to the bill as it is currently written. PSA is open to supporting the bill if it is amended to include scope of practice and proper supervision provisions.
SB 25 - Nurse Independent Practice
The Nurse Independent Practice Bill (SB 25), which does not include CRNAs, passed the Senate but there has been no movement in the House.
