General Questions
When does Optimal Team Practice occur?
Optimal Team Practice occurs when PAs, physicians, and other healthcare professionals work together to provide quality care without burdensome administrative constraints.
How can OTP benefit physicians?
Physicians will be relieved of unnecessary administrative and legal burdens.
What was OTP previously known as?
Full Practice Authority and Responsibility (FPAR)
T/F: PAs are regulated by a board of PAs
False; In almost all states, PAs are regulated by a medical board, which has little to no PA representation.
Define Optimal Practice
PAs can practice to the full extent of their medical education, training, and experience.
What does the Optimal Team Practice policy allow for?
Allows its state chapters to seek changes in state laws that eliminate the legal requirement for PAs to have a specific relationship with a particular collaborating physician in order to practice.
How can OTP benefit patients?
Patients will have greater access to high-quality healthcare.
What were the four major points of FPAR?
Elimination of Supervisory Agreement Requirements in Law/Regulation
Team Based Practice
Creation of Autonomous State PA boards
PA eligibility for direct reimbursement
How would supervisory roles work under Optimal Team Practice?
A newly licensed PA would be able to report to or be supervised by a physician, a senior PA, or a chief PA rather than having a specific relationship with just a physician.
Define Advanced Practice
PAs practice to the full extent of their medical education, training, and experience, but must comply with additional administrative requirements as mandated in state law and/or regulation
Who passed OTP?
AAPA House of Delegates (HOD)
How can OTP benefit employers?
Employers will have more flexibility in determining healthcare teams.
How can OTP help with health care shortages?
PAs can practice in medically underserved communities where not many physicians work in
Does Optimal Team Practice allow for PAs to practice independently?
No, the PA profession is committed to team practice and will continue to collaborate with, consult with, and refer patients to other healthcare providers whenever the patient’s condition falls outside of their education, training, and experience.
Define Moderate Practice
State law and/or regulation requires additional administrative burdens that impact the practice environment. The PA and the healthcare team are limited in flexibility due to these administrative burdens.
When was OTP passed?
May 2017
How can OTP benefit legislators?
Legislators will see increased access and lower Medicaid costs in their state.
How can OTP make healthcare teams stronger?
By reducing administrative burdens and enabling practice-level decision making.
Why do PAs want to be eligible for direct payment from Medicare and Insurers?
Unlike other healthcare providers, most payers require that payments be made to a PA’s employer, which puts PAs at a disadvantage.
Define Reduced Practice
State law and/or regulation restrict the healthcare team and PAs’ ability to practice in at least one element of PA practice.
T/F: By approving OTP, the AAPA HOD were able to change all state laws.
False; By passing OTP, the AAPA HOD simply approved of states implementing OTP. PA chapters in each state are responsible for making the decision to change their state's laws
How can OTP benefit healthcare providers as a whole?
Healthcare providers will see a decrease in burnout rates and healthcare teams will be stronger.
Which states allow for PAs to work in "Optimal Practice" environments?
North Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah are the only three states the AAPA grades as an “Optimal Practice” environment for PAs
Name 2 of the 8 states in which PAs have a separate and independent regulatory board (as of 2023).
Arizona, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Utah
What type of practice does Pennsylvania follow?
According to the AAPA (as of Oct. 2022), Pennsylvania is reduced.