Pennsylvania Act 2010-121 — ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY SERVICE DISCLOSURE ACT - ENACTMENT

Act text

ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY SERVICE DISCLOSURE ACT - ENACTMENT
                 Act of Nov. 23, 2010, P.L. 1344, No. 121             Cl. 35
                                  AN ACT

     Providing for anatomic pathology service disclosure.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

     Section 1.  Short title.
        This act shall be known and may be cited as the Anatomic
     Pathology Service Disclosure Act.
     Section 2.  Definitions.
        The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
     have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
     context clearly indicates otherwise:
        "Anatomic pathology service."  The term shall include:
            (1)  histopathology or surgical pathology, which means
        the gross and microscopic examination of organ tissue
        performed by a physician or under the supervision of a
        physician, including histologic processing;
            (2)  cytopathology, which means the microscopic
        examination of cells from the following:
                (i)  fluids;
                (ii)  aspirates;
                (iii)  washings;
                (iv)  brushings; or
                (v)  smears, including the Pap test examination
            performed by a physician or under the supervision of a
            physician;
            (3)  hematology, which means the microscopic evaluation
        of bone marrow aspirates and biopsies performed by a
        physician or under the supervision of a physician and
        peripheral blood smears when the attending or treating
        physician or technologist requests that a blood smear be
        reviewed by the pathologist;
            (4)  subcellular pathology and molecular pathology; or
            (5)  blood-banking services performed by pathologists.
     The term does not include the initial collection or packaging of
     the specimen for transport.
        "Health care provider."  A person, corporation, facility or
     institution licensed or otherwise authorized by the Commonwealth
     to provide health care services, including, but not limited to,
     a physician, coordinated care organization, hospital, health
     care facility, dentist, nurse, optometrist, podiatrist, physical
     therapist, psychologist, chiropractor or pharmacist and an
     officer, employee or agent of the person acting in the course
     and scope of employment or agency related to health care
     services.
        "Physician."  An individual licensed under the laws of this
     Commonwealth to practice medicine and surgery within the scope
     of the act of October 5, 1978 (P.L.1109, No.261), known as the
     Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, or the act of December 20,
     1985 (P.L.457, No.112), known as the Medical Practice Act of
     1985.
     Section 3.  Disclosure requirement.
        A physician, or any physician group practice, who orders but
     who does not supervise or perform a component of an anatomic
     pathology service shall disclose in a bill for the service
     presented to a patient, insurer or other third-party payor:
            (1)  The name and address of the health care provider or
        laboratory that provided the anatomic pathology service.
            (2)  The amount paid or to be paid for each anatomic
        pathology service provided to the patient by the health care
        provider or laboratory that performed the service.
     Section 4.  Penalties.
        A violation of this act by a physician shall constitute
     grounds for disciplinary action to be taken by the applicable
     board under the applicable licensing statute.
     Section 20.  Effective date.
        This act shall take effect in 60 days.