4 CCR 745-1
DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY AGENCIES SURGICAL ASSISTANT AND SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST RULES AND REGULATIONS 4 CCR 745-1 [Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.] _________________________________________________________________________
1.1 AUTHORITY
These regulations are adopted pursuant to the authority in sections 12-20-204 and 12-310-103(4), C.R.S., and are intended to be consistent with the requirements of the State Administrative Procedures Act, section 24-4-101 et seq. (the “APA”), C.R.S., and the Surgical Assistant and Surgical Technologist Practice Act, sections 12-310-101 et seq. (the “Practice Act”), C.R.S.
1.2 SCOPE AND PURPOSE
This regulation shall govern the process to become a surgical assistant and surgical technologist and the practice as surgical assistant and a surgical technologist in Colorado.
1.3 APPLICABILITY
The provisions of this section shall be applicable to the practice as a surgical assistant and a surgical technologist in Colorado.
1.4 CLARIFICATION OF WHO IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SURGICAL ASSISTANT OR A
A. Anyone who regularly performs the majority of the duties of a surgical assistant or a surgical technologist who is employed, contracted, or credentialed by a healthcare facility needs to register.
B. A person who is performing surgical assistant or surgical technologist functions within the scope of another license, certification or registration does not need to register for the surgical assistant or Surgical Technologist program.
C. Definitions:
1.5 DECLARATORY ORDERS
The Rule is promulgated pursuant to sections 12-20-204, 12-310-103(4), 24-4-105(11), C.R.S.
A. Any person or entity may petition the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (Director) for a declaratory order to terminate controversies or remove uncertainties as to the applicability of any statutory provision or of any rule or order of the Director.
B. The Director will determine, at her discretion and without notice to petitioner, whether to rule upon such petition. If the Director determines that she will not rule upon such a petition, the Director shall promptly notify the petitioner of her action and state the reasons for such decision.
C. In determining whether to rule upon a petition filed pursuant to this Rule, the Director will consider the following matters, among others:
D. Any petition filed pursuant to this rule shall set forth the following:
E. If the Director determines that she will rule on the petition, the following procedures shall apply:
F. The parties to any proceeding pursuant to this Rule shall be the Director and the petitioner. Any other person may seek leave of the Director to intervene in such a proceeding, and leave to intervene will be granted at the sole discretion of the Director. A petition to intervene shall set forth the same matters as are required by section (D) of this Rule. Any reference to a “petitioner” in this Rule also refers to any person who has been granted leave to intervene by the Director.
G. Any declaratory order or other order disposing of a petition pursuant to this Rule shall constitute agency action subject to judicial review pursuant to the Colorado Administrative Procedures Act at section 24-4-106, C.R.S.
1.6 REPORTING CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS, JUDGMENTS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE
A. The conviction of the registrant of a misdemeanor related to drugs and alcohol or any felony under the laws of any state or of the United States, or a crime related to the registrant's practice as a surgical assistant or surgical technologist. A guilty verdict, a guilty plea, or a nolo contendere plea accepted by the court is considered a conviction for the purposes of this Rule;
B. A disciplinary action imposed upon the registrant by another jurisdiction that registers or licenses surgical assistants or surgical technologists, which would be a violation of section 12-310- 106(2)(f) or (i), C.R.S., including, but not limited to, a citation, sanction, probation, civil penalty, or a denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of a license or registration whether it is imposed by consent decree, order, or other decision, for any cause other than failure to pay a license or registration fee by the due date or failure to meet continuing professional education requirements;
C. Revocation or suspension by another state board, municipality, federal or state agency of any health services-related license or registration, other than a license or registration for surgical assistants or surgical technologists as described in section 12-310-106, C.R.S.;
D. Any judgment, award, or settlement of a civil action or arbitration in which there was a final judgment or settlement against the registrant for malpractice as a surgical assistant or surgical technologist.
E. The notice to the Director shall include the following information:
F. The registrant notifying the Director may submit a written statement with the notice to be included with the registrant records.
1.7 REGARDING THE CONTINUING DUTY TO REPORT INFORMATION TO THE DIRECTOR'S
1.8 CONFIDENTIAL AGREEMENTS TO LIMIT PRACTICE FOR PHYSICAL CONDITION OR
A. Notice to the Director. No later than thirty days from the date a physical condition or disability, a behavioral, mental health, or substance use disorder, or an intellectual and developmental disability that renders the registrant unable to perform the registrant’s tasks with reasonable skill and safety, the registrant shall provide the Director, in writing, the following information:
B. Change of Circumstances; Further Notice. The registrant shall further notify the Director of any significant change in the illness, disorder, disability, or condition (“change of condition”) that impacts the registrant's ability to perform as a surgical assistant and surgical technologist with reasonable skill and safety. The registrant must notify the Director of a positive or negative change of condition. Such notification shall occur within thirty days of the change of condition. The registrant shall provide the Director, in writing, the following information:
C. Confidential Agreement; Director Discretion. Compliance with this Rule is a prerequisite for eligibility to enter into a Confidential Agreement with the Director pursuant to sections 12-30-108 and 12-310-108.5, C.R.S. However, mere compliance with this Rule does not require the Director to negotiate regarding, or enter into, a confidential agreement. Rather, the Director will evaluate all facts and circumstances to determine if a confidential agreement is appropriate.
D. Failure to Notify. If the Director discovers that a registrant has a physical condition or disability, a behavioral, mental health, or substance use disorder, or an intellectual and developmental disability that renders the registrant unable to perform the registrant’s tasks with reasonable skill and safety or that may endanger the health or safety of individual’s receiving services, the registrant shall not be eligible for a confidential agreement and may be subject to disciplinary action for failure to notify under section 12-310-106(2)(d)(I), C.R.S., and other related violations contemplated under section 12-310-106(2)(d), C.R.S.
1.9 CONCERNING HEALTH CARE PROVIDER DISCLOSURES TO CONSUMERS ABOUT THE
The purpose of this Rule is to establish requirements for health care providers to provide disclosures to consumers about the potential effects of receiving emergency or non-emergency services from an out-of- network provider as required by section 24-34-113(2), C.R.S. This Rule applies to health care providers as defined in sections 24-34-113(1)(f) and 10-16-102(56), C.R.S.
A. Disclosure requirements. If a consumer has incurred a claim for emergency or nonemergency health care services from an out-of-network provider, the health care provider shall provide the disclosures contained in Appendix. The health care provider shall provide the disclosure contained in Appendix A at all of the following occasions:
B. Noncompliance with this Rule may result in the imposition of any of discipline made available by section 12-310-106(2)(e), C.R.S.
1.10 REQUIRED DISCLOSURE TO PATIENTS – CONVICTION OF OR DISCIPLINE BASED ON
A. On or after March 1, 2021, a provider, shall disclose to a patient, as defined in section 12-30- 115(1)(a), C.R.S., instances of sexual misconduct, including a conviction or guilty plea as set forth in section 12-30-115 (2)(a) C.R.S., or final agency action resulting in probation or limitation of the provider’s ability to practice as set forth is section 12-30-115(2)(b), C.R.S.
B. Form of Disclosure: The written disclosure shall include all information specified in section 12-30- 115(3), C.R.S., and consistent with the sample model disclosure form as set forth in Appendix B to these rules. The patient must, through his or her signature on the disclosure form, acknowledge the receipt of the disclosure and agree to treatment with the registrant.
C. Timing of Disclosure: This disclosure shall be provided to a patient the same day the patient schedules a professional services appointment with the provider. If an appointment is scheduled the same day that services will be provided or if an appointment is not necessary, the disclosure must be provided in advance of the treatment.
D. As set forth in section 12-30-115(3)(e), C.R.S., the requirement to disclose the conviction, guilty plea, or agency action ends when the provider has satisfied the requirements of the probation or other limitation and is no longer on probation or otherwise subject to a limitation on the ability to practice the provider’s profession.
E. A provider is not required to provide the written disclosure before providing professional services to the patient in the following instances as set forth in section 12-30-115(4), C.R.S.:
F. The provider who does not have a direct treatment relationship or have direct contact with the patient is not required to make the disclosure required by this section.
1.7 EXPANDED SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS PURSUANT TO THE
A. Basis. Through Executive Order D 2021 136, amending and extending Executive Orders D 2021 122, D 2021 124, D 2021 125, D 2021 129, and D 2021 132, Governor Jared Polis directed the Executive Director of DORA, through the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (Division Director), to promulgate and issue temporary emergency rules consistent with the Executive Order. The basis for these emergency rules is Executive Order D 2021 136 issued by Governor Jared Polis pursuant to the Colorado COVID-19 Disaster Recovery Order and Article IV, Section 2 of the Colorado Constitution, and the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act, sections 24-33.5-701, et. seq., C.R.S.
B. These Emergency Rules are adopted by the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (Director) to effectuate Executive Order D 2021 136, amending and extending Executive Orders D 2021 122, D 2021 124, D 2021 125, D 2021 129, and D 2021 132, and directing the immediate expansion of the workforce of trained medical personnel available to provide healthcare services within inpatient facilities due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Colorado.
C. Expanded Scope of Practice. Surgical Assistants and Surgical Technologists may perform services while working in a hospital or inpatient facility as delegated by physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, certified registered nurse anesthetists, professional nurses and respiratory therapists.
1.9 EXPANDED SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR SURGICAL ASSISTANTS AND SURGICAL
A. Basis. Through Executive Order D 2021 136, amending and extending Executive Orders D 2021 122, D 2021 124, D 2021 125, D 2021 129, and D 2021 132, Governor Jared Polis directed the Executive Director of DORA, through the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (Division Director), to promulgate and issue temporary emergency rules consistent with the Executive Order. The basis for these emergency rules is Executive Order D 2021 136 issued by Governor Jared Polis pursuant to the Colorado COVID-19 Disaster Recovery Order and Article IV, Section 2 of the Colorado Constitution, and the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act, sections 24-33.5-701, et. seq., C.R.S.
B. Purpose. These Emergency Rules are adopted by the Executive Director of DORA, through the Division Director, to effectuate Executive Order D 2021 136, amending and extending Executive Orders D 2021 122, D 2021 124, D 2021 125, D 2021 129, and D 2021 132, and directing the immediate expansion of the workforce of trained medical personnel available to administer the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations within inpatient facilities and outpatient settings due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Colorado.
C. Expanded Scope of Practice In Order to Administer the COVID-19 Vaccination.
APPENDIX A Surprise Billing – Know Your Rights Beginning January 1, 2020, Colorado state law protects you from “surprise billing,” also known as balance billing.
What is surprise/balance billing, and when does it happen? You are responsible for the cost-sharing amounts required by your health plan, including copayments, deductibles, and/or coinsurance. If you are seen by a provider or use services in a facility or agency that are not in your health plan’s network, you may have to pay additional costs associated with that care. These providers or services at facilities or agencies are sometimes referred to as “out-of-network.” Out-of-network facilities or agencies often bill you the difference between what your insurer decides is the eligible charge and what the out-of-network provider bills as the total charge. This is called “surprise” or “balance” billing.
When you CANNOT be balance-billed:
Emergency Services Not every service provided in an emergency department is an emergency service. If you are receiving emergency services, in most circumstances, the most you can be billed for is your plan’s in-network cost- sharing amounts. You cannot be balance-billed for any other amount. This includes both the emergency facility and any providers that see you for emergency care. Nonemergency Services at an In-Network or Out-of-Network Health Care Provider The health care provider must tell you if you are at an out-of-network location or at an in-network location that is using out-of-network providers. They must also tell you what types of services may be provided by any out-of-network provider.
You have the right to request that in-network providers perform all covered medical services. However, you may have to receive medical services from an out-of-network provider if an in-network provider is not available. In this case, the most you can be billed for covered services is your in-network cost-sharing amount (copayments, deductibles, and/or coinsurance). These providers cannot balance bill you. Additional Protections • Your insurer will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly. Again, you are only responsible for paying your in-network cost-sharing for covered services. • Your insurer must count any amount you pay for emergency services or certain out-of-network services (described above) toward your in-network deductible and out-of-pocket limit. • Your provider or facility must refund any amount you overpay within sixty days of being notified. • A provider, hospital, or outpatient surgical facility cannot ask you to limit or give up these rights. If you receive services from an out-of-network provider or facility or agency OTHER situation, you may still be balance billed, or you may be responsible for the entire bill. If you intentionally receive non-emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, you may also be balance billed.
If you want to file a complaint against your health care provider, you can submit an online complaint by visiting this website: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/DPO_File_Complaint. APPENDIX B MODEL SEXUAL MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE STATEMENT DISCLAIMER: This Model Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Statement is to be used as a guide only and is aimed only to assist the practitioner in complying with section 12-30-115, C.R.S., and the rules promulgated pursuant to this statute by the Director. As a licensed, registered, and/or certified health care provider in the State of Colorado, you are responsible for ensuring that you are in compliance with state statutes and rules. While the information below must be included in your Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Statement pursuant to section 12-30-115, C.R.S., you are welcome to include additional information that specifically applies to your situation and practice.
A. Provider information, including, at a minimum: name, business address, and business telephone number.
B. A listing of any final convictions of or a guilty plea to a sex offense, as defined in section 16-11.7- 102(3), C.R.S.
C. For each such conviction or guilty plea, the provider shall provide, at a minimum:
D. A listing of any final agency action by a professional regulatory board or agency that results in probationary status or other limitation on the provider’s ability to practice if the final agency action is based in whole or in part on:
E. For each such final agency action by a professional regulatory board or agency the provider shall provide, at a minimum:
_______________________________________________________________ Print Client Name _______________________________________________________________ Client or Responsible Party’s Signature Date If signed by Responsible Party (parent, legal guardian, or custodian), print Responsible Party’s name and relationship to client:
_______________________________________________________________ Print Responsible Party Name Print Relationship to Client _______________________________________________________________ Provider Signature Date _________________________________________________________________________ Editor’s Notes History Entire rule emer. rule eff. 02/18/2011.
Entire rule eff. 04/14/2011.
Rules 3, 4, 5 eff. 03/30/2012.
Rule 5 repealed eff. 11/30/2012.
Rule 1.6, Appendix A emer. rules eff. 01/01/2020; expired 04/29/2020. Rule 1.6, Appendix A eff. 04/30/2020.
Rule 1.7 emer. rule eff. 05/11/2020; expired 09/08/2020. Rule 1.7 emer. rule eff. 09/09/2020.
Rules 1.8, Appendix B eff. 12/15/2020.
Rule 1.7 emer. rule eff. 12/28/2020.
Rule 1.9 emer. rule eff. 01/11/2021.
Rule 1.7 emer. rule eff. 04/27/2021.
Rule 1.9 emer. rule eff. 05/11/2021.
Rules 1.8 E-F eff. 05/30/2021.
Rules 1.7, 1.9 emer. rules eff. 07/12/2021.
Rules 1.1-1.10 eff. 10/15/2021.
Rules 1.7, 1.9 emer. rules eff. 11/02/2021.
Annotations Rule 1.8 E.4 (adopted 10/21/2020) was not extended by Senate Bill 21-152 and therefore expired 05/15/2021.