Frozen February 2015: What's New at NPAGR?

This edition will focus on the implementation of the NP Modernization Act. In this letter from AANP Region 2 Director Donald Gardenier, implications for both new and experienced NPs are noted. Here is an opportunity to access and review the final regulations and the attestation form (use the links below). Please contact the board if you have questions.

• I. Welcome to the new regulatory model for NPs in New York under the Nurse Practitioner Modernization Act. As most of you are aware, the New York legislature passed the statute for NP licensure and practice regulation last spring. It took effect January 1. AANP applauds the efforts of the very dedicated team that worked hard to get the NPMA passed.
  Under the new statute and regulations, NPs with over 3600 hours of total practice experience are no longer required to maintain a collaborative agreement and practice protocols with the Department of Education. Instead, NPs must execute and maintain at their practice location an attestation form and document their collaborative relationships with physicians and/or with a hospital.
  AANP encourages our New York members to review the final regulations and attestation form. You may also contact the Office of the Professions, Division of Professional Licensing Services, Nurse Practitioner Unit for additional information and licensure needs: 518-474-3817, ext. 270.

  Please note that regulations have not changed for NPs with fewer than 3600 hours (approximately 2 years full time) practice experience. Also note that your existing collaborative agreement and protocols remain in effect until you execute an attestation form. You may also elect to continue to practice under a collaborative agreement in which case you do not execute the attestation form. NPs with over 3600 hours are required to maintain either collaborative relationships through the attestation process or maintain a collaborative agreement and protocols.

  AANP continues to monitor legislation in New York that impacts your practice and patient care. Please log into your members only access to view currently active state legislation in the 2015 New York session here.

  AANP is committed to helping you advance your policy skills and welcomes your active participation in making changes that benefit our patients. I hope you will join me and all the AANP leadership in Washington, DC, March 29 - 31 for the AANP Health Policy Conference.

  Donald Gardenier, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
  AANP Region 2 Director, American Association of Nurse Practitioners

• II. It is important for you to be aware of the mixed response to this legislative change. An opinion article was published in the NY Post on January 6th in response to the NP Modernization Act. It is titled, "When a nurse is your health care provider, you're at risk", Click here to read the article: http://nypost.com/2015/01/06/when-a-nurse-is-your-health-care-provider-youre-at-risk

• III. The NPA promptly crafted and posted a response- click here to read the response from Stephen Ferrara: http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.thenpa.org/resource/resmgr/Headline_News/NYPost.pdf

It is important for NPs to know both the new law and its implications for your practice so you can educate others about the continued quality of NP care. This care has been and will continue to be delivered within our scope of practice and utilize collaboration with other providers of care, in the same way that other providers collaborate with us.

Let's plan for Spring!

Mandatory Electronic Prescribing Goes into Effect on March 27, 2015. Details are posted on the NPA website: http://www.thenpa.org

Upcoming NPA Events:
• NPA Capitol Day - Wednesday, April 22, 2015 - registration now open
• NPA One Day Conference – Friday, May 1st, featuring Wendy Wright who will focus on new lipid guidelines, hypertension management, obesity and billing and coding.

Finally- What is happening close to home?

1. Program on Pulmonary Hypertension at Pomodoro's (Monroe Location), Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 6:00pm ET

2. Please come out to the spring membership meeting! The meeting focus will be a presentation on DSRIP (Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment) Program. This is a unique collaborative between UR Medicine and RRHS intended to improve patient care and reduce costs in our Region. The Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency has been facilitating this innovation. Learn about it on Wednesday, March 25th at the Amore Restaurant at the East Avenue Wegmans.

3. The Nurse Practitioner Association NYS Capitol Day 2015
Albany, NY Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 7:00am ET - 4:00pm ET

STAY Warm!