QUESTION:        Did CMS recently change its regulations on supervision of physician assistants?

 

ANSWER:          Yes.  CMS recently issued a final rule that revised its regulations on physician supervision.  This rule explains that CMS will largely defer to state law and state scope of practice rules for issues involving supervision of physician assistants (“PAs”).  In situations where there is no state law governing physician supervision of PA services, CMS will look for documentation of the PA’s scope of practice and the working relationships the PA has with supervising physicians (when furnishing professional services).

Crucially, you will need to check your state law to verify whether these changes will have a significant impact on your organization.