(a) Services provided by a physician assistant are a covered benefit under this chapter to the extent authorized by federal law and subject to utilization controls.

(b) Subject to subdivision (a), all services performed by a physician assistant within his or her scope of practice that would be a covered benefit if performed by a physician and surgeon shall be a covered benefit under this chapter.

(c) The department shall not impose chart review, countersignature, or other conditions of coverage or payment on a physician and surgeon supervising physician assistants that are more stringent than requirements imposed by Chapter 7.7 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code or regulations of the Medical Board of California promulgated under that chapter.

(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 376, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2008.)