C.S.H.B. 3008 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3008 By: Capelo Public Health Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE During the 77th Legislative Session (2001), the Legislature passed HB 1183, which created a titlelicensing bill for surgical assistants. Surgical assistants, (they are also called surgical first assistants), are typically non-physicians, although some physicians assist at surgery on a regular basis. Some nurses and some physician assistants also perform as "first assistants" during surgery, but they are not required to be "licensed surgical assistants" under HB 1183. HB 1183 provides for annual renewal of the license. To relieve this administrative burden, this bill requires renewal every two years. Finally, HB 1183 contained reimbursement provisions to enable surgical assistants to be more easily directly reimbursed by insurance companies and health plans. This bill adds clarifying language to state that surgical assistants can direct bill RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Section 1. Amends Section 206.210, Occupations Code to provide that a surgical assistant license expires on the second anniversary of the date of issuance, rather than annually. Section 2. Adds a new section to Chapter 206, Occupations Code, to provide that a surgical assistant can direct bill for surgical assistant services. Section 3. Act takes effect September 1, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 3008 deletes Section 1 and Section 2 of the original bill. Section 1 would have changed the work experience required of a surgical assistant to be eligible for a license from 2000 hours to 1200 hours. Section 2 of the bill would have allowed an applicant for a surgical assistant license to complete a list of academic science courses and surgical procedures in lieu of a surgical assistant program because there are no surgical assistant programs in Texas. The substitute contains only two provisions: 1) Provides that a surgical assistant license expires on the second anniversary of the date of issuance rather than annually. 2) Authorizes a surgical assistant to directly bill a patient or third-party payor for services provided by the surgical assistant.