HB 22-1095

House Bill 22-1095, also known as the Physician Assistant Collaboration Requirements bill, changes how physician assistants work with doctors and podiatrists in Colorado. Instead of requiring constant supervision by a doctor or podiatrist, it now requires new physician assistants (those with fewer than 3,000 hours of experience) to create a collaborative plan with a doctor if they are starting out or entering a new specialty area. More experienced physician assistants can work independently but must still consult with their healthcare team when needed. This bill has been signed into law, meaning these changes are now in effect and impact how physician assistants practice medicine in Colorado.

Official Summary

The bill modifies the relationship between a physician assistant and a physician or podiatrist by removing the requirement that a physician assistant be supervised by a physician or podiatrist. Instead: A physician assistant who has completed fewer than 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical practice experience or who is beginning practice in a new specialty must enter into a collaborative plan with a physician; and A physician assistant who has completed fewer than 3,000 hours of post-graduate clinical practice must enter into a collaborative plan with a podiatrist before practicing podiatry. A physician assistant who has completed 3,000 or more practice hours or, for a physician assistant practicing a new specialty, has completed 2,000 practice hours in the new specialty and at least 3,000 total practice hours, is no longer required to maintain a collaborative plan and is instead required to consult with and refer to appropriate members of the physician assistant's health-care team based on a patient's condition; the physician assistant's education, experience, and competencies; and the standard of care. The bill specifies the requirements of the collaborative plan. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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