§2847-I. Coverage for services provided by registered nurse first assistants

(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 24-A, SECTION 2847-G)

1.  Definitions.  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A. "Perioperative nursing" means a practice of nursing in which the nurse provides preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative nursing care to surgical patients.   [RR 1999, c. 1, §35 (RAL).]

B. "Recognized program" means a program that addresses all content of the core curriculum for registered nurse first assistants as established by the Association of Operating Room Nurses or its successor organization.   [RR 1999, c. 1, §35 (RAL).]

C. "Registered nurse first assistant," or "RNFA," means a person who:

(1) Is licensed as a registered nurse under Title 32, chapter 31;

(2) Is experienced in perioperative nursing; and

(3) Has successfully completed a recognized program.   [RR 1999, c. 1, §35 (RAL).]

[RR 1999, c. 1, §35 (RAL).]

2.  Institutional powers.  Each health care institution, as defined in Title 22, chapter 405, may establish specific procedures for the appointment and reappointment of registered nurse first assistants and for granting, renewing and revising their clinical privileges.

[RR 1999, c. 1, §35 (RAL).]

3.  Required coverage for services.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, an insurer that issues group health insurance policies and contracts that provide coverage for surgical first assisting benefits or services shall provide coverage and payment under those contracts to a registered nurse first assistant who performs services that are within the scope of a registered nurse first assistant's qualifications. The provisions of this subsection apply only if reimbursement for an assisting physician would be covered and a registered nurse first assistant who performed those services is used as a substitute. This section does not apply to policies or contracts that cover only specified diseases.

[RR 1999, c. 1, §35 (RAL).]

4.  Limits; coinsurance; deductibles.  Any contract that provides coverage for the services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.

[RR 1999, c. 1, §35 (RAL).]

5.  Application.  The requirements of this section apply to all group policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

[PL 2003, c. 517, Pt. B, §20 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

RR 1999, c. 1, §35 (RAL). PL 2003, c. 517, §B20 (AMD).