HB623 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim Patterson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Health insurance and health benefit plans, registered nurse first assistants, reimbursement for services by insurers, Registered Nurse First Assistant Consumer Act

Summary

The bill would require Alabama health insurers to reimburse registered nurse first assistants for surgical first assistant services and set standards to support their use.

What This Bill Does

It declares legislative intent to encourage the use of registered nurse first assistants and to ensure equitable reimbursement by insurers. It requires insurers to reimburse registered nurse first assistants for surgical first assistant services as long as the services are within the RNFA's licensed scope. It defines key terms and applies these rules to health benefit policies issued in Alabama on or after July 1, 2014, and it repeals any conflicting laws. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and gubernatorial approval.

Who It Affects

• Registered nurse first assistants in Alabama would be eligible for reimbursement from insurers for surgical first assistant services, provided they meet licensing and education requirements.
• Health benefit policy issuers and other insurers in Alabama would be required to reimburse RNFAs for their surgical first assistant services and align policies accordingly.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Registered Nurse First Assistant Consumer Act and its legislative intent to promote RNFAs and equitable reimbursement.
• Requires insurers to reimburse RNFAs for surgical first assistant services rendered within the RNFA's licensed scope.
• Provides definitions for Health Benefit Policy, Insurer, Operating Room Nursing, Recognized Educational Curriculum Program, and Registered Nurse First Assistant.
• Applies to health benefit policies issued or renewed in Alabama on or after July 1, 2014 and ensures reimbursement where applicable.
• Repeals conflicting laws.
• Sets the act's effective date as the first day of the third month following passage and governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health