Rule 360-5-.09. Temporary Practice Agreements

1. (1) Definitions

   1. (a) "Good standing" shall mean that the person has no disciplinary action taken against him or her by any state within the previous seven (7) years and has not let his/her license in any state expire or become inactive during an investigation by a state medical board into allegations relating to his/her practice as a physician assistant or during a pending disciplinary action.
   2. (b) "Georgia Board - Approved Supervisory Arrangement" means when a supervising physician and a physician assistant are working under a basic job description previously submitted to and approved by the Board.

2. (2) Temporary Practice Agreement. A physician and a physician's assistant may enter into a temporary practice agreement where the physician supervises the services provided by the physician assistant to patients at a specific facility or program operated by an organization exempt from federal taxes pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, provided that:

   1. (a) Such services are provided in the State of Georgia;
   2. (b) Such services are provided primarily to financially disadvantaged patients;
   3. (c) Such services are free or at a charge to the patient based solely on the patient's ability to pay and provided, further, that such charges do not exceed the actual cost to the facility or program; and
   4. (d) Both supervising physician and the physician assistant voluntarily and gratuitously donate their services;

3. (3) Requirements for the Temporary Practice Agreement.

   1. (a) The temporary practice agreement must be for a specified period of time;
   2. (b) The physician assistant services must be within the usual scope of practice of the supervising physician;
   3. (c) The physician assistant and the supervising physician must be in good standing with the Board;
   4. (d) The temporary practice agreement must be signed by both the supervising physician and the physician assistant;
   5. (e) Prior to providing any patient services a copy of the signed temporary practice agreement must be on file at the facility or program and a copy of the agreement must have been sent to the Board; and
   6. (f) The facility or program must notify the Board of its intent to provide patient services and utilize licensed physicians and physician assistants under the conditions set out in this subsection.
4. (4) Limitations. This rule does not apply to physicians and physician assistants who are in a Georgia board-approved supervisory arrangement nor preclude physician assistants from practicing under the Georgia Volunteers in Health Care Specialties Act as delineated in OCGA Section 43-1-28.

Authority: O.C.G.A. Secs. 43-1-19, 43-1-25, 43-34-5, 43-34-8, 43-34-102, 43-34-103, 43-34-107, 43-34-108.

History. Original Rule entitled "Disciplinary Action/Revocation" adopted. F. July 15, 1988; eff. August 4, 1988.

Amended: F. Mar. 18, 1998; eff. Apr. 7, 1998.

Amended: F. Oct. 16, 2006; eff. Nov. 5, 2006.

Amended: F. July 31, 2007; eff. August 20, 2007.

Repealed: New Rule entitled "Temporary Practice Agreements" adopted. F. Jan. 18, 2011; eff. Feb. 7, 2011.