Scope of Practice, Prior Authorization Bills Draw Attention of State Radiologic Societies

Nearly all state legislatures are in session and healthcare-related legislation continues to be introduced and receive committee action.

Scope of Practice

Connecticut

Senate Bill (SB) 1050 would enjoin Connecticut into the interstate medical licensure compact. The interstate medical licensure compact allows physicians who meet the compact’s eligibility requirements to practice medicine in other compact states.

SB 1064 would allow an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who is relocating to Connecticut and has practiced for more than 2,000 hours, to practice independently.

Hawaii

House Bill (HB) 1046 / SB 1365 would enjoin Hawaii into the interstate medical licensure compact. This allows physicians who meet the compact’s eligibility requirements to practice medicine in other compact states.

SB 274 / HB 407 would remove the repeal of Chapter 457J, which provides for the continued licensure of certified midwives (CM) and certified professional midwives (CNM). Under Chapter 457J, the licensure of CMs and CNMs will be repealed on Jun 30, 2025. Currently, in Hawaii, CMs and CNMs are allowed to order, interpret diagnostic tests, and perform ultrasounds.

Illinois

HB 1652 would enjoin Illinois into the interstate nurse licensure. This allows individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements to practice in other compact states.

New Mexico

SB 46 would enjoin New Mexico into the interstate medical licensure compact. This allows physicians who meet the compact’s eligibility requirements to practice medicine in other compact states.

New York

AB 2685 would permit for the licensure of limited-scope radiographers in New York who meet certain requirements.

North Dakota

SB 2273 would allow physical therapists (PT) to order diagnostic imaging.

Wyoming

Senate File 155 would allow the Wyoming State Board of Medicine to grant provisional licenses to practice medicine in Wyoming to international physicians who meet the following qualifications:

• Has a medical doctorate or substantially similar degree by a domestic or international medical program.
• Has been in good standing with a medical licensing or regulatory institution of the person's licensing country at all times in the last five years and does not have any pending discipline before the licensing body.
• Has completed a residency or substantially similar post-graduate medical training program or has practiced as a medical professional performing the duties of a physician in the person's licensing country for not less than seven years after the completion of a medical doctorate.

• Has passed steps 1, 2, and 3 of the 2 United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

   

Prior Authorization

Rhode Island

SB 13 would mandate the following changes regarding prior authorization in Rhode Island:

• When an adverse benefit decision is made, a carrier shall make available to the requested provider a peer-to-peer review discussion, and the peer must have experience providing the same or similar service as the health care service under review.
• Set various standards for when a carrier and any contracted health care benefits manager use artificial intelligence, algorithms, or other software tools to obtain prior authorization.

Washington

SB 5395 would mandate the following changes regarding prior authorization in Washington:

• When an adverse benefit decision is made, a carrier shall make available to the requested provider a peer-to-peer review discussion, and the peer must have experience providing the same or similar service as the health care service under review.
• Carriers maintain the ability to make adjustments to policies and procedures that impact the applicability of their prior authorization requirements, but beginning Aug. 1, these adjustments can only be made once annually and go into effect on Jan. 1 of any given calendar year.
• Set various standards for when a carrier and any contracted health care benefits manager use artificial intelligence, algorithms, or other software tools to obtain prior authorization.

Supervision Requirements

Washington

HB 1546 would allow a physician to “generally” supervise intravenous contrast procedures. General supervision is defined in Washington as “supervision of a procedure that is furnished under the overall direction and control of a physician but where the physician is not required to be physically present during the performance of the procedure.” Also, if general supervision is performed remotely, the process must comply with all federal and state laws and regulations and local, institutional, site, and facility policies, guidelines, and rules related to telemedicine, and the physician must be within 30 miles to respond.

For more information about these bills, contact Dillon Harp, American College of Radiology® (ACR®) Senior State Government Relations Specialist.

ACR is committed to supporting its chapters in state-level advocacy efforts. The College also has resources available for members through the State Issues homepage, and can assist with delivery of legislative calls-to-action and grassroots mobilization.

ACR has partnered with Fiscal Note, a legislation and regulation tracking service, to provide continuous, comprehensive updates on radiology- and healthcare-related legislation. To stay current on state legislative developments relevant to radiology, view the ACR policy map or receive state-specific reports from Fiscal Note.

For state-level calls to action or to sign up to receive Fiscal Note reports, chapter leaders should contact Eugenia Brandt, ACR Senior Government Relations Director, or Melody Ballesteros, ACR Assistant Director Government Relations.