In 2021, Massachusetts enacted An Act Promoting a Resilient Health Care System That Puts Patients First, which granted Full Practice Authority (FPA) to eligible Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). FPA allows eligible APRNs to practice independently, eliminating the need for physician supervision. However, outdated state insurance statutes still mandate physician involvement as a condition of coverage for certain services. These vary from a physical examination to written orders or prescriptions — all services that fall within the scope of practice for APRNs.

This bill proposes a solution to these mandates that create significant barriers for patients who rely on APRNs for their care. Specifically, the bill is a technical fix aimed at aligning Massachusetts' insurance statutes with the current legal scope of APRN practice under Full Practice Authority. This bill ensures patients can access timely care from APRNs without unnecessary delays caused by outdated statutory requirements for physician involvement in order to receive covered healthcare services.