Executive Director Message
Utah Academy of Physician Assistants
Progress Report - 2007
During the past five years, the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants (UAPA) embarked on a quest to improve service to Utah PAs and the profession by reorganizing its committee structure, addressing multiple legislative challenges, striving to become a recognized health care and information resource and improving professional relations in Utah. These planned and implemented activities were designed to help meet its mission to promote cost effective, patient oriented, accessible health care, and to promote the professional and personal development of Physician Assistants.
Specific accomplishments include:
1 Changing the current Utah Physician Assistant Practice Act Rules
2 Amending State law to expand charity and emergency care opportunities
3 Updating Bylaws to meet the needs of a growing organization
4 Participating in the governor’s task force for predicting and meeting the health care needs in the face of rapid population growth
5 Establishing a web site
6 Participating in a campaign to promote wise use of antibiotics
7 Maintaining relationships with the Utah Medical Association
8 Changing Medicaid rules to restore the PA’s right to care for Medicaid patients in emergency departments
9 Working closely with the Utah Physician Assistant Program to assist with student selection and education and to increase student involvement in UAPA activities
10 Continuing two quality Continuing Medical Education programs
11 Completing a financial audit and implementing appropriate change
12 Reorganizing committees in increase member involvement and further the mission of the Academy
Physician Assistant Practice Act Rules Change
Prior to 2002, Utah PA practice was limited by rigid rules regarding physician supervision. These rules limited the locations and parameters of practice. With assistance from the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the Utah Medical Association (UMA) and UAPA’s Legislative Committee, the rules were changed to provide greater supervision flexibility. As a result of the rules change, demand for PA services increased, especially in practices where direct supervision may not be available. Rural and underserved practice opportunities, previously closed to PAs due to inflexible supervisory requirements, are now open for PAs. The new Rules may be reviewed at this website: www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/statutes_and_rules/R156-70a.
Charity and Emergency Care Opportunities
Utah law provides malpractice immunity for medical providers in charity care settings. Medical professionals are also allowed to provide medical care in declared emergencies without current state licensure. When the laws were drafted, the Physician Assistant profession was omitted. Representatives from UAPA’s Legislative Committee recruited legislator support and provided testimony during legislative sessions leading to the successful amending of state law allowing physician assistants equal protection in charity and emergency care settings. To view the amendment see: http://www.kse50.com/billdatabase/billTexts.php?show=UT+SB+0146.htm
Update Bylaws
In 2004, the Bylaws of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants were reviewed by members of the UAPA Board of Directors. Input from UAPA members, AAPA consultants and Board members was considered. Appropriate changes were implemented by Board approval. A current copy of the UAPA bylaws is available at: http://www.utahapa.org/about_uapa.html
Utah Medical Education Council
By invitation from the Governor of the State of Utah, representatives from UAPA and UPAP assisted with collecting data on PA practice. Data was collected, analyzed and the process was repeated three years later. In each phase of the study, PAs from specialty practices, rural settings, underserved clinics, primary care sites and UPAP were consulted. PAs were also selected to present the results of the studies to the Utah Medical Education Council. The results of the panel's work predict that demand for PA services will increase by more than 10 percent annually for the foreseeable future. UAPA continues to cooperate with UMEC by forwarding all job opportunities to the UMEC web site for free distribution. For more information about the Utah Medical Education Council and the PA report see: http://www.utahmec.org/WorkforceData.htm
Web Site
A UAPA Board member developed of a web site for dissemination of information for PAs and their employers. Members of the UAPA Membership Committee work to keep membership data current and available on the website. Weekly job postings are placed on the web site. The data base also allows instant email messaging to all members of UAPA. 2007 opens the opportunity for membership and CME registration fees to be collected via the web site by credit card payment. See http://www.utahapa.org/.
UtahAWARE
The Utah Alliance for Antibiotic Resistance Education is a group of organizations combined to educate professionals and the public about the dangers of antibiotic overuse. UAPA joined other organizations including the Utah State Department of Health, University of Utah School of Public Health, Intermountain Health Care (Utah’s largest health care provider), Utah Pharmacy Association, Utah Medical Association and multiple pharmaceutical companies to launch professional, public and school education efforts. More than 20 PAs assisted in radio talk shows, TV appearances, newspaper articles, day care provider training sessions and elementary school education programs. The AAPA recognized this effort by awarding it a National Foundation Innovations in Health Care Award in 2004.
Utah Medical Association
UAPA continues to enjoy a fruitful and cooperative relationship with the UMA. By maintaining memberships in the UMA, key PAs enrich communications and support of UMA objectives. The UMA Bulletin has featured articles promoting PAs. Each year UMA leaders speak at PA functions and PA leaders attend UMA events with the intent to continue this rewarding relationship. All UAPA legislative efforts begin by soliciting UMA input and support.
Medicaid Reimbursement Policy Change
Without warning, Utah Medicaid changed its PA reimbursement policy. PAs would not be reimbursed for treating Medicaid patients in emergency departments. This policy was detrimental to the many Utah PAs who provide emergency medical services to Medicaid patients. UAPA sought support from the AAPA, the UMA, the Utah Hospital Association and emergency physician groups to change the ruling. After multiple meetings with state Medicaid officials and testifying before the Utah Medical Care Advisory Committee the policy has been changed. PA services to Medicaid patients are now reimbursed at the physician rate.
Utah Physician Assistant Program
UAPA maintains enthusiastic involvement with the Utah Physician Assistant Program. UPAP and UAPA share the cost of a part-time (.2 FTE) employee who works to promote both organizations and the PA profession. UAPA representatives participate in selection committee activities, teach portions of the professional issues course, direct job searches and assist new graduates with contract negotiations. Special attention is paid to involve students in public education efforts; including a new AAPA sponsored health literacy program and the UtahAWARE project. The UAPA Bylaws provide student representation on the Board of Directors. In addition to paying AAPA membership fees for the students, UAPA funds also assist with student attendance at state, regional, and AAPA conferences.
CME
Two outstanding CME conferences are provided annually in Mesquite, Nevada and Snowbird, Utah. AAPA support was provided for the 2006 Mesquite conference by sending Michael Powe, Director of Health Systems and Reimbursement Policy for the American Academy of Physician Assistants to the conference. Mr. Powe updated UAPA members on reimbursement issues and attended Board meetings, providing valuable direction and insights. For further information about these conferences see: www.utahapa.org
Financial Audit
As directed by the UAPA President, an in-house fiscal evaluation was performed. As a result, prior accounting procedures were changed. In their place, a system of checks and balances was instituted. Changes implemented clarify duties of Board officers relating to financial responsibilities and increase security of funds accumulated and distributed by UAPA.
Increased Member Involvement
A system of eight committees has been established to draw upon the interests, talents and networking strength of UAPA members. The current list of committees includes: Legislative, Membership, PA Promotion, Web site, Employment, CME, Reimbursement, and IHC (provider relations). Oversight and direction for each committee is provided by a member of the UAPA Board of Directors. More than 50 Utah PAs are now assigned to committees and provide donated services to promote the mission of the academy.
Summary
UAPA is a medium-sized constituent organization with a clear mission statement led by dedicated leaders committed to fulfill its fulfillment. In the past five years, significant changes have been implemented that have improved internal functions, expanded services to members, increased public recognition of the profession, provided educational interventions to thousands of Utahns, implemented legislative steps to improve PA practice rules, improved access to care for Utah's Medicaid recipients and impacted state-wide medical planning. The changes outlined above are a result of careful self-study and planned interventions. Outstanding, dedicated leaders and a broad base of member volunteers make UAPA an outstanding organization, deserving of special recognition.
