§ 17-105-101 — Definitions

As used in this chapter: (1) "Health benefit plan" means a plan, policy, contract, certificate, agreement, or other evidence of coverage for healthcare services offered or issued by a healthcare insurer in this state; (2) (A) "Healthcare insurer" means an entity that is subject to state insurance regulation and provides health insurance in this state. (B) "Healthcare insurer" includes: (i) An insurance company; (ii) A hospital and medical service corporation; (iii) A health maintenance organization; (iv) A risk-based provider organization; and (v) Any sponsor of a nonfederal self-funded governmental plan; (3) (A) "Physician assistant" means a dependent healthcare professional qualified by academic and clinical education and licensed by the Arkansas State Medical Board to provide healthcare services and who has: (i) Graduated from a program for the education and training of physician assistants that has been approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. or its successors; and (ii) Passed the certifying examination administered by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. (B) A physician assistant: (i) Provides healthcare services under the supervision of a physician; and (ii) Works under a delegation agreement with a physician; (4) "Supervising physician" means a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy licensed by the board who supervises physician assistants; and (5) "Supervision" means overseeing the activities of and accepting responsibility for the medical services rendered by a physician assistant. The constant physical presence of the supervising physician is not required so long as the supervising physician and physician assistant are or can be easily in contact with one another by radio, telephone, electronic, or other telecommunication device. Supervision of each physician assistant by a physician or physicians shall be continuous.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2023, No. 303,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2023, No. 270,§ 7, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2021, No. 634,§ 7, eff. 7/28/2021. Amended by Act 2019, No. 386,§ 61, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 1999, No. 851, § 1.