Effective immediately, Governor Mike Parson’s office has temporarily waived the regulation requiring that a collaborating physician and an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) be within 75 miles of each other.
A news release says this waiver expands the ability of healthcare professionals to directly serve the needs of all citizens during the COVID-19 outbreak and reduces travel of both patients and providers, helping reduce the spread of the virus.
“It is paramount that our health professionals be able to treat our citizens during this critical time of need,” Governor Parson said. “Physicians and nurses serving on the front lines of this outbreak are at risk of infection and some may be unable to treat patients due to quarantine. As Governor, I am suspending the requirement that a physician and APRN are within 75 miles of one another. This will allow our highly skilled and educated health professionals to provide care to our communities including using telehealth when they need it most.”
The waiver benefits patients and healthcare professionals in several ways:
· Allows health practitioners to treat patients and minimizes travel and spread of the virus.
· Allows a physician and APRN to collaborate regardless of where the providers are located.
· Avoids the disruption of services should a collaborating physician become ill or be diverted to another practice location.
Put in place in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis, this waiver will be in effect until the expiration of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-02.