SENATE AMENDED

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY DeLUCA, MUNDY, BARBIN, D. COSTA, BELFANTI, CALTAGIRONE, DAY, FRANKEL, GEORGE, HARKINS, JOSEPHS, KOTIK, MATZIE, M. O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, THOMAS, WHITE, YOUNGBLOOD, MICOZZIE, QUINN AND KILLION, MAY 19, 2010

SENATOR D. WHITE, BANKING AND INSURANCE, IN SENATE, AS AMENDED, SEPTEMBER 21, 2010   

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 health care provider 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 health care provider physician 

<--

shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action to be taken by

the applicable board under an the applicable licensing statute.

<--

Section 20.  Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.