(a) (1) A practice agreement shall include provisions that address the following:
(A) The types of medical services a physician assistant is authorized to perform.
(B) Policies and procedures to ensure adequate supervision of the physician assistant, including, but not limited to, appropriate communication, availability, consultations, and referrals between a physician and surgeon and the physician assistant in the provision of medical services.
(C) The methods for the continuing evaluation of the competency and qualifications of the physician assistant.
(D) The furnishing or ordering of drugs or devices by a physician assistant pursuant to Section 3502.1.
(E) Any additional provisions agreed to by the physician assistant and physician and surgeon.
(2) A practice agreement shall be signed by both of the following:
(A) The physician assistant.
(B) One or more physicians and surgeons or a physician and surgeon who is authorized to approve the practice agreement on behalf of the staff of the physicians and surgeons on the staff of an organized health care system.
(3) A delegation of services agreement in effect prior to January 1, 2020, shall be deemed to meet the requirements of this subdivision.
(4) A practice agreement may designate a PA as an agent of a supervising physician and surgeon.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require approval of a practice agreement by the board.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, in addition to any other practices that meet the general criteria set forth in this chapter or regulations adopted by the board or the Medical Board of California, a practice agreement may authorize a PA to do any of the following:
(1) Order durable medical equipment, subject to any limitations set forth in Section 3502 or the practice agreement. Notwithstanding that authority, nothing in this paragraph shall operate to limit the ability of a third-party payer to require prior approval.
(2) For individuals receiving home health services or personal care services, after consultation with a supervising physician and surgeon, approve, sign, modify, or add to a plan of treatment or plan of care.
(3) After performance of a physical examination by the PA under the supervision of a physician and surgeon consistent with this chapter, certify disability pursuant to Section 2708 of the Unemployment Insurance Code. The Employment Development Department shall implement this paragraph on or before January 1, 2017.
(c) This section shall not be construed to affect the validity of any practice agreement in effect prior to the effective date of this section or those adopted subsequent to the effective date of this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 707, Sec. 5. (SB 697) Effective January 1, 2020.)