Effective July 18, 2022, four (4) temporary regulations were passed by the Kansas Board of Nursing on APRN changes. The temporary regulations are effective until the end of October 2022. A Public Hearing was connected on September 6, 2022, for anyone to present their comments on the new changes. Those comments were presented to the board on September 14, 2022, and regulations became permanent changes to the seven (7) regulations. The changes listed below were submitted to the Secretary of State’s office for publication in the Kansas Register.
Here is some feedback from our medical credentialing and insurance enrollment experts at Medical Provider Resources, including our experience with insurance companies and hospitals (listed below each regulation).
1. K.A.R. 60-11-101. Definition of expanded role. The proposed revisions for this regulation delete the definition for a collaborative agreement with a responsible physician for licensed APRNSs to practice in Kansas. The definitions of authorization for collaborative practice, physician, prescription, and prescription order will be deleted.
We are finding that many of the hospitals and insurance companies are still asking for the collaborative agreement to enroll the provider.
2. K.A.R. 60-11-103. Licensure and educational requirements for advanced practice registered nurses. The prosed revision adds language about the requirement for proof of APRN certification in the applicant’s specific role and population focus for initial licensure applications submitted on and after July 1, 2023. Language was also added regarding the requirement to submit proof of malpractice insurance coverage if the applicant renders professional clinical services as an APRN, unless the APRN meets one of the exceptions listed in K.S.A. 65-1130 as amended by S Sub for HB 2219. The economic impact to the Board of Nursing is expenditure costs to update our licensing software to have the ability to document the proof of national certification and proof of malpractice insurance (approximately $30,000).
3. K.A.R. 60-11-104. Functions of the advanced practice registered nurse in the role of nurse practitioner. The proposed regulations delete the “based on authorization for collaborative practice” language for practicing as a nurse practitioner licensed in Kansas.
4. K.A.R. 60-11-104a. Prescription orders. Language was stricken about the need for a written protocol approved by the responsible physician. Language was added to include that APRNs are allowed to prescribe.
The Controlled Substance Verification Form (CSF) is NO longer required as of July 1, 2022.
5. K.A.R. 60-11-105. Functions of the advanced practice registered nurse in the role of nurse-midwife. The language “based on the authorization for collaborative practice” was stricken since the legislation eliminated the need for a collaborative agreement for nurse-midwife to practice.
We are finding that many of the hospitals and insurance companies are still asking for the collaborative agreement to enroll the provider.
6. K.A.R. 60-11-107. Functions of the advanced practice registered nurse in the role of clinical nurse specialists. The language “based on the authorization for collaborative practice” was stricken since the legislation eliminated the need for a collaborative agreement for a clinical nurse specialist to practice.
We are finding that many of the hospitals and insurance companies are still asking for the collaborative agreement to enroll the provider.
7. K.A.R. 60-11-113. License Renewal. Language was added that states for any APRN whose initial licensure is before July 1, 2023, the APRN may submit evidence of APRN certification at the time of license renewal. Language was also added that states an APRN shall provide proof of malpractice insurance when renewing the license if the APRN renders professional clinical services, unless the APRN meets one of the exceptions listed in K.S.A. 65-1130 as amended by S Sub for HB 2219.
If the APRN is covered under a group policy and the individual APRN is NOT listed on the policy. Please make sure you have a cover letter signed by the authorized representative by the group listing the APRN as being covered by the group policy at the time of renewal.
