Advanced registered nursing practice is defined as the performance of the acts of a registered nurse and the performance of an expanded role in providing health care services as recognized by the medical and nursing professions.  Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) assume primary responsibility and accountability for the care of patients and are authorized to perform all activities registered nurses perform, perform specialized and advanced levels of nursing, and prescribe legend drugs and certain controlled substances.  ARNPs scope of practice is defined by the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission and includes:

• examining and diagnosing patients;
• admitting, managing, and discharging patients to and from health care facilities;
• ordering, collecting, performing, and interpreting diagnostic tests;
• managing health care by identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating a plan of care and treatment for patients;
• prescribing therapies and medical equipment;
• prescribing medications when granted prescriptive authority; and
• referring patients to other health care practitioners, services, or facilities.

For health plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2022, a health carrier may not reimburse a contracted ARNP in an amount less than the allowed amount that the health carrier would reimburse for the same service if provided by a contracted physician or osteopathic physician in the same service area.

A health carrier may not reduce the reimbursement amount paid to physicians and osteopathic physicians to comply with this act.

This act does not apply to ARNPs who are employees of a health maintenance organization.