Relating to the participation of an advanced practice nurse as a primary care provider for certain governmental and other health benefit plans.
If enacted, HB3398 would significantly affect the state’s healthcare framework by mandating that managed care organizations include APRNs as primary care providers without needing the supervising physician to be part of the network. This change could reduce barriers to care and increase the number of healthcare providers available to residents, particularly in rural areas where access to physicians is limited. By placing APRNs alongside traditional primary care physicians in the provider hierarchy, the bill aims to streamline healthcare delivery and ensure patients have more immediate access to services.
House Bill 3398 proposes to enhance the role of advanced practice nurses by allowing them to serve as primary care providers within certain governmental and health benefit plans. The bill modifies existing Texas laws to require that advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants are treated similarly to primary care physicians in regards to their inclusion in provider networks. The intent behind HB3398 is to improve access to healthcare by expanding the pool of available primary care providers, particularly in underserved areas, where such professionals are increasingly critical to meeting patient needs.
While proponents of HB3398 argue that the measure will enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency, there are concerns regarding the adequacy of supervision and the quality of care provided by APRNs. Critics may argue that allowing greater independence for APRNs could dilute the standards of healthcare delivery, especially in complex cases that typically require a physician’s expertise. The bill does specifically state that it does not allow managed care organizations to exert undue control over medical practices; however, debates around the bill may focus on the balance between expanding access and ensuring optimal patient safety and care quality.