Hagar and Phillips - Legal Requirements of Healthcare Agreements

Learn More About Physician and APN/PA Agreements

In Tennessee, if you are a physician assistant (PA) or an advanced practice nurse (APN) you are required to have a supervising physician. These agreements are done through a collaboration agreement. The collaboration agreement sets out the terms of physician supervision and ensures that the supervision meets the standards required by law. These legal healthcare agreements must be in writing, kept at the PA’s or APN’s site of practice, and signed and dated by both parties.

Collaborating Physician Agreement / TN PA License

Tennessee requires that a supervising physician be an MD or a DO with an up-to-date unencumbered Tennessee license to practice medicine. Additionally, the supervising physician must have experience in the same field of medicine as the supervisee. It is not necessary for the supervisor to work at the same primary practice site as the supervisee, so long as the supervisee has a valid license.

3 Requirements of Supervising Physicians

There are three main requirements of the supervising physician. First, the supervisor must make themselves readily available to the supervisee during working hours. Furthermore, the supervisor must visit the supervisee’s site of practice once every thirty days. Lastly, the supervisor must review twenty percent of the supervisee’s charts.

Written Protocols

In addition to the requirements set out by law, the collaboration agreement must include “written protocols” that were developed together by the collaborating practitioners. These protocols must be specific to the area of practice and population seen, specify which drugs the supervisee may prescribe, and lay out the standard of care to be provided. Lastly, these protocols must be reviewed and updated every two years.

Contact a Trusted Wilson County Healthcare Attorney

If you are entering into a collaboration agreement it is important to consult with a health law attorney to make sure all legal requirements are met. This will help ensure a smooth collaborating relationship and avoid issues with the Board of Medicine and/or Nursing. Speak with the best healthcare attorneys in Lebanon, TN about your legal healthcare agreements by contacting Hagar & Phillips for a confidential consultation at 615-784-4588.

Source

Is Weed Legal in Tennessee? What Wilson County and Lebanon Residents Should Know

For many people in Wilson County, the question “Is weed legal in Tennessee?” comes up because the laws can feel confusing. The short answer is that recreational marijuana is still illegal in Tennessee. At the same time, some hemp-based products are legal if they stay within the state’s THC limits, which is where a lot of the confusion starts.

Read Post

Understanding Identity Theft in Tennessee: A Guide for Wilson County, TN

Identity theft is a crime that happens when someone uses another person’s personal information without permission, usually for financial gain or to avoid being caught for another offense. In Wilson County, TN, identity theft can affect everyday people just as easily as businesses, and the damage often reaches far beyond a single stolen account. Understanding what identity theft looks like, how it happens, and why it matters can help people recognize the issue sooner and respond more carefully.

Read Post

Domestic Assault Charges in Wilson County: What to Know

Domestic assault is a criminal charge that arises when an assault happens between people who have a qualifying personal or family relationship. In Tennessee, the term is often used interchangeably with domestic violence in everyday conversation, but it has a specific legal meaning. Understanding that distinction matters because domestic assault cases are handled seriously and can affect more than just a person’s immediate court case.

Read Post