CMS will assess states’ scope of practice laws for physician assistants in determining funding through its $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program.
The program’s application incorporates the American Academy of Physician Associates’ state practice environment rating scale into its scoring methodology, according to a funding notice CMS released Sept. 15. AAPA assesses states’ practice environments on a scale ranging from “reduced” to “optimal practice,” with states receiving a higher rating if they have joined the PA Licensure Compact or allow PAs to practice to the full extent of their education and training.
The PA Licensure Compact allows PAs to practice in participating states under a single license. North Carolina became the 19th state to join the compact in July.
“These funding incentives are an important acknowledgement of what we have long known — when states adopt optimal scope of practice laws for PAs, access to care improves, particularly in rural areas,” AAPA Chief of Advocacy and Public Affairs Chantell Taylor said in a Sept. 15 news release.
CMS pointed to the contributions of PAs and nurse practitioners as part of its strategy to strengthen rural healthcare access amid the physician shortage.
“These physician supply challenges could be mitigated, especially in the context of primary care, by expanding the scope of practice of other clinicians such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants who have training and competency in caring for many of the cases currently limited to physician care,” the agency wrote.
The funding methodology also gives greater weight to states who have joined the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for physicians, Nurse Licensure Compact and EMS Compact.
Learn more about the rural health funding program here.
