For the first time, physician assistants (PA) in Texas can share a minority ownership interest with physicians in professional associations or professional limited liability companies, according to the law firm Jackson Walker, LLP.

The new law, effective as of Sept. 1, 2011, includes a number of restrictions that keep PAs from having "equal footing with physicians as far as ownership in the professional entity," according to the firm. In addition to requiring that physicians always have a majority share in the organizations, the law stipulates that PAs may not hire their own supervising physicians.

The law applies only to future ownership structures and does not automatically make legal existing relationships that may contradict former rules. Jackson Walker noted it is unknown whether the Texas Medical Board (TMB) will grandfather into the new law existing ownership relationships that parties may have mistakenly created, believing that the practice was permissible.

Finally, the TMB and Texas Physician Assistant Board are to retain control in any instances of conflict between their statutory regulations and the new law.

To learn more:
- read the article from Jackson Walker, LLP

Share this via Twitter

Related Articles:
Looming physician, APN, PA shortages call for more training
Study: Patients prefer NPs over physicians
Optimize the use of midlevels in your practice
Physicians should supervise assistants to avoid malpractice