SB103 Summary

• Establishes the "Registered Nurse First Assistant Consumer Act" to encourage the use of registered nurse first assistants for cost-effective surgical services.

• Requires insurers, managed care companies, and workers' compensation carriers to provide equitable reimbursement for first assistant at surgery services rendered by qualified registered nurse first assistants.

• Defines a registered nurse first assistant as a person licensed as a registered professional nurse in Alabama who is certified in operating room nursing, completed an approved education program, and was functioning as a first assistant as of January 1, 1993.

• Mandates that any health benefit policy issued, executed, or renewed on or after July 1, 2014 must reimburse registered nurse first assistants for surgical first assistant services within the scope of their professional license.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.