1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. “Perioperative nursing” means a practice of nursing in which the nurse provides preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative nursing care to surgical patients. [PL 1999, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]
B. “Recognized program” means a program that addresses all content of the core curriculum for registered nurse first assistants as established by the Association of Operating Room Nurses or its successor organization. [PL 1999, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]
C. “Registered nurse first assistant,” or “RNFA,” means a person who:

(1) Is licensed as a registered nurse under Title 32, chapter 31;
(2) Is experienced in perioperative nursing; and
(3) Has successfully completed a recognized program. [PL 1999, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]

[PL 1999, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 24-A Sec. 4246

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Health maintenance organization: means a public or private organization that is organized under the laws of the Federal Government, this State, another state or the District of Columbia or a component of such an organization, and that:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 24-A Sec. 4202-A
  • Person: means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, syndicate, organization, society, business trust, attorney-in-fact or any legal entity. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 24-A Sec. 4202-A
  • 2. Institutional powers. Each health care institution, as defined in Title 22, chapter 405, may establish specific procedures for the appointment and reappointment of registered nurse first assistants and for granting, renewing and revising their clinical privileges.

    [PL 1999, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]

    3. Required coverage for services. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a health maintenance organization that issues individual and group health care contracts that provide coverage for surgical first assisting benefits or services shall provide coverage and payment under those contracts to a registered nurse first assistant who performs services that are within the scope of a registered nurse first assistant’s qualifications. The provisions of this subsection apply only if reimbursement for an assisting physician would be covered and a registered nurse first assistant who performed those services is used as a substitute.

    [PL 1999, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]

    4. Limits; coinsurance; deductibles. Any contract that provides coverage for the services required by this section may contain provisions for maximum benefits and coinsurance and reasonable limitations, deductibles and exclusions to the extent that these provisions are not inconsistent with the requirements of this section.

    [PL 1999, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]

    5. Application. The requirements of this section apply to all individual and group policies, contracts and certificates executed, delivered, issued for delivery, continued or renewed in this State. For purposes of this section, all contracts are deemed to be renewed no later than the next yearly anniversary of the contract date.

    [PL 2003, c. 617, Pt. B, §26 (NEW).]

    SECTION HISTORY

    PL 1999, c. 412, §4 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 517, §B26 (AMD).