Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2859

Introduced
3/4/26  

Caption

Creates a Rhode Island specialty license for physician assistants who earn the NCCPA psychiatry CAQ, formally recognizing advanced behavioral health qualifications and supporting appropriate insurance reimbursement.

Impact

If enacted, S2859 will have implications for state law concerning the practice and recognition of physician assistants in Rhode Island. The bill formalizes the pathway for physician assistants who specialize in behavioral health, elevating the standards of practice in this crucial area of health care. It aims to facilitate appropriate insurance reimbursement for services rendered by licensed physician assistants with advanced psychiatry qualifications, thereby improving access to mental health care for Rhode Island residents.

Summary

Bill S2859 aims to establish a specialty license designation for physician assistants who specialize in behavioral health, specifically in the field of psychiatry or mental health. The proposed legislation outlines criteria for obtaining the 'physician assistant - behavioral health' license, which includes holding a current active license as a physician assistant, achieving a certificate of added qualifications (CAQ) in psychiatry from the national commission on certification of physician assistants (NCCPA), and meeting specific continuing education and clinical experience requirements. This initiative seeks to enhance the qualifications of physician assistants practicing in the mental health domain.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the requirements set forth in the bill, such as the necessity for the NCCPA CAQ in psychiatry, which could be viewed as a barrier to entry for some practitioners. Some stakeholders might argue against the specificity of the requirements or advocate for a broader recognition of diverse qualifications within the behavioral health field. The bill does not expand the scope of practice for physician assistants beyond what is already authorized under Rhode Island law, but the recognition of advanced qualifications could prompt discussions over existing standards and practices.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0701

Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.

RI S0873

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $90,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO SUPPORT PHYSICIAN REIMBURSEMENT RATE INCREASES IN THE RHODE ISLAND MEDICAID PROGRAM (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $90,000,000 to the Rhode Island executive office of health and human services to be invested in increasing reimbursement rates for all physicians and advanced practice providers.)

RI H5790

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $90,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO SUPPORT PHYSICIAN REIMBURSEMENT RATE INCREASES IN THE RHODE ISLAND MEDICAID PROGRAM (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $90,000,000 to the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services to be invested in increasing reimbursement rates for all physicians and advanced practice providers.)

RI S0695

Recognizes the program run by the Rhode Island Medical Society or comparable program for physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and podiatrists, to address burnout, substance abuse, and mental and physical health issues.

RI H6036

Recognizes the program run by the Rhode Island Medical Society or comparable program for physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and podiatrists, to address burnout, substance abuse, and mental and physical health issues.

RI S0347

Allows foreign trained physicians limited license to practice in Rhode Island under specific conditions.

RI H5108

Allows foreign trained physicians limited license to practice in Rhode Island under specific conditions.

RI S0220

Amends Rhode Island’s existing healthcare services funding plan act by adding an account relating to a new psychiatry resource network to fund Rhode Island’s present PediPRN and MomsPRN.

RI H5461

Amends Rhode Island’s existing healthcare services funding plan act by adding an account relating to a new psychiatry resource network to fund Rhode Island’s present PediPRN and MomsPRN.

RI S0707

Creates the Rhode Island Individual Market Affordability Act of 2024 to help reduce out-of-pocket costs for low- and moderate-income consumers enrolled in the health insurance coverage through the Rhode Island health benefits exchange.

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