36th Annual APRN Legislative Update: Improving practice scope and authority, one state at a time

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Policy
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Statutory and regulatory barriers limit patient access to Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) services across the United States.
• Understanding the evolving landscape of APRN practice authority is crucial for healthcare policy and patient care.
• Reimbursement policies significantly impact the accessibility and utilization of APRN services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively examine the current status of APRN practice authority in all US states and Washington, D.C.
• To identify and report recent updates regarding statutory and regulatory changes affecting APRN scope of practice.
• To document changes in reimbursement policies relevant to APRN care.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of state legislation and regulatory documents pertaining to APRN practice.
• Analysis of policy changes related to scope of practice, prescriptive authority, and independent practice.
• Examination of reimbursement policies, including direct reimbursement and payment parity for APRNs.

Main Results:

• Significant progress has been made in reducing practice barriers for APRNs across numerous states.
• Updates in practice authority vary by state, with some expanding scope and others maintaining restrictions.
• Changes in reimbursement policies are also state-dependent, influencing the economic viability of APRN services.

Conclusions:

• Continued efforts are needed to eliminate remaining statutory and regulatory barriers to full APRN practice.
• Policy advancements are enhancing patient access to comprehensive APRN care, but disparities persist.
• Monitoring state-level policy changes is essential for advocating for equitable APRN practice and reimbursement nationwide.