(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in addition to any other practices that meet the general criteria set forth in statute or regulation for inclusion in standardized procedures developed through collaboration among administrators and health professionals, including physicians and surgeons and nurses, pursuant to Section 2725, standardized procedures may be implemented that authorize a nurse practitioner to do any of the following:
(1) Order durable medical equipment, subject to any limitations set forth in the standardized procedures. Notwithstanding that authority, nothing in this paragraph shall operate to limit the ability of a third-party payer to require prior approval.
(2) After performance of a physical examination by the nurse practitioner and collaboration with a physician and surgeon, certify disability pursuant to Section 2708 of the Unemployment Insurance Code.
(3) For individuals receiving home health services or personal care services, after consultation with the treating physician and surgeon, approve, sign, modify, or add to a plan of treatment or plan of care.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the validity of any standardized procedures in effect prior to the enactment of this section or those adopted subsequent to enactment.
(Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 308, Sec. 34. (SB 819) Effective January 1, 2010.)