Finding a Collaborating Physician in Georgia
The regulatory landscape for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) can be complex. However, Zivian streamlines the process of finding a collaborating physician. If you are an NP trying to find a collaborating physician in Georgia, we’ve got you covered.
The state of Georgia requires nurse practitioners to collaborate with a physician. Georgia is classified as a Restricted Practice Authority state.
Read on to learn state regulations and things to consider when establishing a collaboration with a physician in the Peach State.
Note: State regulations and requirements are subject to change. Always check with your state medical or nursing board to confirm the most up-to-date information.
What is the NP Practice Environment in Georgia?
Is a collaboration required?
Yes, nurse practitioners are required to collaborate with a physician in Georgia. Georgia is classified as a Restricted Practice Authority State.
Delegation Authority and Process:
Is an agreement required?
Yes. In Georgia, the collaborating physician is called the “Delegating Physician.”
What form of agreement is required and what are the requirements for the substance of the agreement?
To learn more about the components of the Georgia nurse protocol agreement, contact us!
Where must the agreement be stored?
Agreement must be kept at each practice site where the nurse practitioner is authorized to perform delegated acts.
Does the agreement need to be filed with the state?
Yes, if the nurse practitioner is prescribing as part of their practice. The nurse protocol agreement must be submitted within 30 days of execution to Georgia Composite Medical Board. The nurse practitioner does not have prescriptive authority until approved by Board.
Are there requirements to file the agreement after the initial filing (e.g., for updates or on a specified frequency)?
A collaborating physician must notify the Board within ten (10) working days of the date of termination of a nurse protocol agreement.
In the event of the death or departure of a collaborating physician, a nurse practitioner must notify the Board within 7 days. If a designated physician is available according to an approved protocol agreement, he or she may serve as the delegating physician for up to 60 days (from the date of death or departure) until a new protocol agreement is approved by the Board. In the event that there is no designated physician, the nurse practitioner will not have prescriptive authority until a new signed protocol agreement is submitted to the Board.
Who must sign the agreement?
The collaborating physician, other designated physician, if applicable, and the nurse practitioner.
How often must the agreement be reviewed/reauthorized?
The agreement must be reviewed annually.
What are the qualifications for the collaborating physician (licensure, same scope, active practice in state, etc.)?
The collaborating physician must be licensed in Georgia, with a principal practice location within Georgia or within 50 miles of the location where the agreement is being utilized in the state, and must have a specialty area comparable to the collaborating nurse practitioner.
What are the qualifications for the NP?
See the Georgia Nursing Board’s How to Guide: APRN / CNS.
Is an alternate collaborating physician required?
An alternate collaborating physician is not required, but permitted. The alternate is called a “designated physician.”
Collaboration Requirements
Are there ratios/limits on the number of NPs that a collaborator may supervise or enter into collaboration agreements?
There are some exemptions (see Medical Practice Act) that apply, but usually a collaborating physician may not enter into an agreement with more than four (4) nurse practitioners at any one time.
This limitation does apply in some circumstances. For more information, contact the Zivian team.
Is there an express requirement to review a certain number/percentage of charts?
Georgia regulations require that a collaborating physician or other designated physician evaluate or examine all patients who receive any controlled substance prescription pursuant to a nurse protocol agreement, and that a collaborating physician or other designated physician must review and sign 100% of patient records for patients receiving prescriptions for controlled substances to comply with the law. Reviews must occur at least quarterly after issuance of the controlled substance prescription.
The collaborating physician or other designated physician must review and sign 100% of patient records in which an adverse outcome has occurred. This review must occur no more than 30 days after the discovery of an adverse outcome.
The collaborating physician or other designated physician review and sign 10% of all other patient records. Such reviews must occur at least annually.
Is there a requirement to meet and, if so, how often and how?
See location specific requirements and agreement requirements.
Are there proximity requirements (e.g., between the NP/collaborator or practice site)?
The collaborating physician’s principal place of practice must be within Georgia, or outside of Georgia but within 50 miles from location where the nurse protocol agreement is being utilized within Georgia.
Are there location-specific requirements (e.g., that collaborator must go to practice site at some frequency)?
The collaborating physician must document onsite observation and conduct medical records review at least quarterly to monitor quality of care.
Is remote supervision allowed/are there limitations on remote supervision?
Remote supervision is permitted, but the collaborating physician must be available for immediate consultation with the nurse practitioner. If the collaborating physician is not available, the physician for the purposes of consultation may designate another physician who concurs with the terms of the nurse protocol agreement as provided in O.C.G.A. 43-34-25.
Physician and NP Filing Requirements
Outside of filing the collaborating agreement, must the physician and/or NP file any separate forms (e.g., notice of delegation of prescriptive authority, notice of collaboration, notice to PDMP, etc.)?
Please see the following for additional forms, as applicable: APRN Protocol Registration Forms.
Prescription Requirements and Controlled Substance Prescribing
What are the prescription requirements?
A written prescription must be signed by the nurse practitioner and be on a form which includes the names of the nurse practitioner and collaborating physician who are parties to the nurse protocol agreement, the patient’s name and address, the drug or device ordered, directions with regard to the taking and dosage of the drug or use of the device, and the number of refills. A prescription drug order which is transmitted either electronically or via facsimile must conform to the requirements set out in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (c) of Code Section 26-4-80, respectively.
With prescriptive authority, a nurse practitioner writes and signs his/her own prescriptions. No cosignatures are required.
What are the requirements for controlled substance prescribing?
The collaborating physician or designated physician must evaluate/examine every patient for whom the nurse practitioner prescribes controlled substances at least quarterly.
Zivian Health Enables Compliant Healthcare Collaborations
Zivian helps nurse practitioners and physician assistants navigate the evolving landscape of healthcare compliance. We simplify the process of securing a compliant collaboration to empower advanced practice to providers and expand access to health care.
We’ll match you with a reliable, highly-qualified collaborating physician in days, not weeks. Plus, our easy-to-use platform continually tracks all of your state requirements, including meetings, chart reviews, and licensure.
Get started with Zivian today by contacting us here.
