SB762: Bill Text

SB762,7,13 48.981 (2) (a) 6m. A primary spinal care practitioner.

SB762,12 Section 12. 49.45 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,8,16 49.45 (9) Free choice. Any person eligible for medical assistance under s. 49.46, 49.468, 49.47, or 49.471 may use the physician, chiropractor, dentist, pharmacist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, hospital, skilled nursing home, health maintenance organization, limited service health organization, preferred provider plan or other licensed, registered or certified provider of health care of his or her choice, except that free choice of a provider may be limited by the department if the department's alternate arrangements are economical and the recipient has reasonable access to health care of adequate quality. The department may also require a recipient to designate, in any or all categories of health care providers, a primary health care provider of his or her choice. After such a designation is made, the recipient may not receive services from other health care providers in the same category as the primary health care provider unless such service is rendered in an emergency or through written referral by the primary health care provider. Alternate designations by the recipient may be made in accordance with guidelines established by the department. Nothing in this subsection shall vitiate the legal responsibility of the physician, chiropractor, dentist, pharmacist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, skilled nursing home, hospital, health maintenance organization, limited service health organization, preferred provider plan or other licensed, registered or certified provider of health care to patients. All contract and tort relationships with patients shall remain, notwithstanding a written referral under this section, as though dealings are direct between the physician, chiropractor, dentist, pharmacist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, skilled nursing home, hospital, health maintenance organization, limited service health organization, preferred provider plan or other licensed, registered or certified provider of health care and the patient. No physician, chiropractor, pharmacist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, or dentist may be required to practice exclusively in the medical assistance program.

SB762,13 Section 13. 49.46 (2) (b) 11m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB762,8,18 49.46 (2) (b) 11m. The services of primary spinal care practitioners.

SB762,14 Section 14. 50.36 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,9,3 50.36 (3) (a) Any person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under subch. II of ch. 448 or, podiatry under subch. IV of ch. 448, or spinal medicine under subch. VIII of ch. 448 shall be afforded an equal opportunity to obtain hospital staff privileges and may not be denied hospital staff privileges solely for the reason that the person is an osteopathic physician and surgeon or , a podiatrist, or a primary spinal care practitioner. Each individual hospital shall retain the right to determine whether the applicant's training, experience and demonstrated competence is sufficient to justify the granting of hospital staff privileges or is sufficient to justify the granting of limited hospital staff privileges.

SB762,15 Section 15. 50.36 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,9,13 50.36 (3) (b) If, as a result of peer investigation or written notice thereof, a hospital staff member who is licensed by the medical examining board or, podiatry affiliated credentialing board, or spinal medicine affiliated credentialing board, for any reasons that include the quality of or ability to practice, loses his or her hospital staff privileges, has his or her hospital staff privileges reduced or resigns from the hospital staff, the hospital shall so notify the medical examining board or, podiatry affiliated credentialing board, or spinal medicine affiliated credentialing board, whichever is applicable, within 30 days after the loss, reduction or resignation takes effect. Temporary suspension due to incomplete records need not be reported.

SB762,16 Section 16. 50.36 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,9,24 50.36 (3) (c) If, as a result of peer investigation or written notice thereof, a hospital staff member who is licensed by the medical examining board or, podiatry affiliated credentialing board, or spinal medicine affiliated credentialing board, for reasons that do not include the quality of or ability to practice, loses his or her hospital staff privileges for 30 days or more, has his or her hospital staff privileges reduced for 30 days or more or resigns from the hospital staff for 30 days or more, the hospital shall so notify the medical examining board or , podiatry affiliated credentialing board, or spinal medicine affiliated credentialing board, whichever is applicable, within 30 days after the loss, reduction or resignation takes effect. Temporary suspension due to incomplete records need not be reported.

SB762,17 Section 17. 50.39 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,10,10 50.39 (3) Facilities governed by ss. 45.50, 48.62, 49.70, 49.72, 50.02, 51.09, and 252.10, juvenile correctional facilities as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), correctional institutions governed by the department of corrections under s. 301.02, and the offices and clinics of persons licensed to treat the sick under chs. 446, 447, and 448 are exempt from ss. 50.32 to 50.39. Sections 50.32 to 50.39 do not abridge the rights of the medical examining board, physical therapy examining board, podiatry affiliated credentialing board, spinal medicine affiliated credentialing board, dentistry examining board, pharmacy examining board, chiropractic examining board, and board of nursing in carrying out their statutory duties and responsibilities.

SB762,18 Section 18. 77.54 (14) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,10,14 77.54 (14) (b) Furnished by a licensed physician, surgeon, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, or dentist to a patient who is a human being for treatment of the patient.

SB762,19 Section 19. 77.54 (14) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,10,18 77.54 (14) (c) Furnished by a hospital for treatment of any person pursuant to the order of a licensed physician, surgeon, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, or dentist.

SB762,20 Section 20. 77.54 (14) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,10,21 77.54 (14) (d) Sold to a licensed physician, surgeon, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, dentist, or hospital for the treatment of a human being.

SB762,21 Section 21. 77.54 (14) (f) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,10,23 77.54 (14) (f) 7. A podiatrist who is licensed under subch. IV of ch. 448.

SB762,22 Section 22. 77.54 (14) (f) 7m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB762,11,2 77.54 (14) (f) 7m. A primary spinal care practitioner licensed under subch. VIII of ch. 448.

SB762,23 Section 23. 102.13 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,11,16 102.13 (1) (a) Except as provided in sub. (4), whenever compensation is claimed by an employee, the employee shall, upon the written request of the employee's employer or worker's compensation insurer, submit to reasonable examinations by physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurse prescribers, or podiatrists, or primary spinal care practitioners provided and paid for by the employer or insurer. No employee who submits to an examination under this paragraph is a patient of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner for any purpose other than for the purpose of bringing an action under ch. 655, unless the employee specifically requests treatment from that physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner.

SB762,24 Section 24. 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,12,7 102.13 (1) (b) (intro.) An employer or insurer who requests that an employee submit to reasonable examination under par. (a) or (am) shall tender to the employee, before the examination, all necessary expenses including transportation expenses. The employee is entitled to have a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner provided by himself or herself present at the examination and to receive a copy of all reports of the examination that are prepared by the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or vocational expert immediately upon receipt of those reports by the employer or worker's compensation insurer. The employee is also entitled to have a translator provided by himself or herself present at the examination if the employee has difficulty speaking or understanding the English language. The employer's or insurer's written request for examination shall notify the employee of all of the following:

SB762,25 Section 25. 102.13 (1) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,12,12 102.13 (1) (b) 1. The proposed date, time, and place of the examination and the identity and area of specialization of the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or vocational expert.

SB762,26 Section 26. 102.13 (1) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,12,16 102.13 (1) (b) 3. The employee's right to have his or her physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner present at the examination.

SB762,27 Section 27. 102.13 (1) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,12,22 102.13 (1) (b) 4. The employee's right to receive a copy of all reports of the examination that are prepared by the examining physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or vocational expert immediately upon receipt of these reports by the employer or worker's compensation insurer.

SB762,28 Section 28. 102.13 (1) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,13,2 102.13 (1) (d) 1. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or vocational expert who is present at any examination under par. (a) or (am) may be required to testify as to the results of the examination.

SB762,29 Section 29. 102.13 (1) (d) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,13,10 102.13 (1) (d) 2. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner who attended a worker's compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant claims compensation may be required to testify before the division when the division so directs.

SB762,30 Section 30. 102.13 (1) (d) 3. of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,13,19 102.13 (1) (d) 3. Notwithstanding any statutory provisions except par. (e), any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner attending a worker's compensation claimant for any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the claimant claims compensation may furnish to the employee, employer, worker's compensation insurer, department, or division information and reports relative to a compensation claim.

SB762,31 Section 31. 102.13 (1) (d) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,13,25 102.13 (1) (d) 4. The testimony of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner who is licensed to practice where he or she resides or practices in any state and the testimony of any vocational expert may be received in evidence in compensation proceedings.

SB762,32 Section 32. 102.13 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,14,13 102.13 (2) (a) An employee who reports an injury alleged to be work-related or files an application for hearing waives any physician-patient, psychologist-patient, or chiropractor-patient privilege with respect to any condition or complaint reasonably related to the condition for which the employee claims compensation. Notwithstanding ss. 51.30 and 146.82 and any other law, any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, hospital, or health care provider shall, within a reasonable time after written request by the employee, employer, worker's compensation insurer, department, or division, or its representative, provide that person with any information or written material reasonably related to any injury for which the employee claims compensation.

SB762,33 Section 33. 102.13 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,14,24 102.13 (2) (b) A physician, chiropractor, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, hospital, or health service provider shall furnish a legible, certified duplicate of the written material requested under par. (a) upon payment of the actual costs of preparing the certified duplicate, not to exceed the greater of 45 cents per page or $7.50 per request, plus the actual costs of postage. Any person who refuses to provide certified duplicates of written material in the person's custody that is requested under par. (a) shall be liable for reasonable and necessary costs and, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), reasonable attorney fees incurred in enforcing the requester's right to the duplicates under par. (a).

SB762,34 Section 34. 102.13 (3) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,15,16 102.13 (3) If 2 or more physicians, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, or podiatrists, or primary spinal care practitioners disagree as to the extent of an injured employee's temporary disability, the end of an employee's healing period, an employee's ability to return to work at suitable available employment or the necessity for further treatment or for a particular type of treatment, the department or the division may appoint another physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner to examine the employee and render an opinion as soon as possible. The department or the division shall promptly notify the parties of this appointment. If the employee has not returned to work, payment for temporary disability shall continue until the department or the division receives the opinion. The employer or its insurance carrier, or both, shall pay for the examination and opinion. The employer or insurance carrier, or both, shall receive appropriate credit for any overpayment to the employee determined by the department or the division after receipt of the opinion.

SB762,35 Section 35. 102.16 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,16,2 102.16 (3) No employer subject to this chapter may solicit, receive, or collect any money from an employee or any other person or make any deduction from their wages, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of discharging any liability under this chapter or recovering premiums paid on a contract described under s. 102.31 (1) (a) or a policy described under s. 102.315 (3), (4), or (5) (a); nor may any employer subject to this chapter sell to an employee or other person, or solicit or require the employee or other person to purchase, medical, chiropractic, podiatric, spinal medicine, as defined in s. 448.971 (5), psychological, dental, or hospital tickets or contracts for medical, surgical, hospital, or other health care treatment that is required to be furnished by that employer.

SB762,36 Section 36. 102.17 (1) (d) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,17,2 102.17 (1) (d) 1. The contents of certified medical and surgical reports by physicians, podiatrists, primary spinal care practitioners, surgeons, dentists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurse prescribers, and chiropractors licensed in and practicing in this state, and of certified reports by experts concerning loss of earning capacity under s. 102.44 (2) and (3), presented by a party for compensation constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in those reports, subject to any rules and limitations the division prescribes. Certified reports of physicians, podiatrists, primary spinal care practitioners, surgeons, dentists, psychologists, physician assistants, advanced practice nurse prescribers, and chiropractors, wherever licensed and practicing, who have examined or treated the claimant, and of experts, if the practitioner or expert consents to being subjected to cross-examination, also constitute prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in those reports. Certified reports of physicians, podiatrists, primary spinal care practitioners, surgeons, psychologists, and chiropractors are admissible as evidence of the diagnosis, necessity of the treatment, and cause and extent of the disability. Certified reports by doctors of dentistry, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurse prescribers are admissible as evidence of the diagnosis and necessity of treatment but not of the cause and extent of disability. Any physician, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, chiropractor, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or expert who knowingly makes a false statement of fact or opinion in a certified report may be fined or imprisoned, or both, under s. 943.395.

SB762,37 Section 37. 102.17 (1) (d) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,17,13 102.17 (1) (d) 2. The record of a hospital or sanatorium in this state that is satisfactory to the division, established by certificate, affidavit, or testimony of the supervising officer of the hospital or sanitorium, any other person having charge of the record, or a physician, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, surgeon, dentist, psychologist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or chiropractor to be the record of the patient in question, and made in the regular course of examination or treatment of the patient, constitutes prima facie evidence as to the matter contained in the record, to the extent that the record is otherwise competent and relevant.

SB762,38 Section 38. 102.17 (1) (e) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,17,24 102.17 (1) (e) The division may, with or without notice to any party, cause testimony to be taken, an inspection of the premises where the injury occurred to be made, or the time books and payrolls of the employer to be examined by any examiner, and may direct any employee claiming compensation to be examined by a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner. The testimony so taken, and the results of any such inspection or examination, shall be reported to the division for its consideration upon final hearing. All ex parte testimony taken by the division shall be reduced to writing, and any party shall have opportunity to rebut that testimony on final hearing.

SB762,39 Section 39. 102.17 (1) (g) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,18,15 102.17 (1) (g) Whenever the testimony presented at any hearing indicates a dispute or creates a doubt as to the extent or cause of disability or death, the division may direct that the injured employee be examined, that an autopsy be performed, or that an opinion be obtained without examination or autopsy, by or from an impartial, competent physician, chiropractor, dentist, psychologist or, podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner designated by the division who is not under contract with or regularly employed by a compensation insurance carrier or self-insured employer. The expense of the examination, autopsy, or opinion shall be paid by the employer or, if the employee claims compensation under s. 102.81, from the uninsured employers fund. The report of the examination, autopsy, or opinion shall be transmitted in writing to the division and a copy of the report shall be furnished by the division to each party, who shall have an opportunity to rebut the report on further hearing.

SB762,40 Section 40. 102.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,18,21 102.29 (3) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent an employee from taking the compensation that the employee may be entitled to under this chapter and also maintaining a civil action against any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner for malpractice.

SB762,41 Section 41. 102.42 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,19,19 102.42 (1) Treatment of employee. The employer shall supply such medical, surgical, chiropractic, psychological, podiatric, spinal medicine, as defined in s. 448.971 (5), dental, and hospital treatment, medicines, medical and surgical supplies, crutches, artificial members, appliances, and training in the use of artificial members and appliances, or, at the option of the employee, Christian Science treatment in lieu of medical treatment, medicines, and medical supplies, as may be reasonably required to cure and relieve from the effects of the injury, and to attain efficient use of artificial members and appliances, and in case of the employer's neglect or refusal seasonably to do so, or in emergency until it is practicable for the employee to give notice of injury, the employer shall be liable for the reasonable expense incurred by or on behalf of the employee in providing such treatment, medicines, supplies, and training. When the employer has knowledge of the injury and the necessity for treatment, the employer's failure to tender the necessary treatment, medicines, supplies, and training constitutes such neglect or refusal. The employer shall also be liable for reasonable expense incurred by the employee for necessary treatment to cure and relieve the employee from the effects of occupational disease prior to the time that the employee knew or should have known the nature of his or her disability and its relation to employment, and as to such treatment subs. (2) and (3) shall not apply. The obligation to furnish such treatment and appliances shall continue as required to prevent further deterioration in the condition of the employee or to maintain the existing status of such condition whether or not healing is completed.

SB762,42 Section 42. 102.42 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,20,9 102.42 (2) (a) When the employer has notice of an injury and its relationship to the employment, the employer shall offer to the injured employee his or her choice of any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, dentist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner licensed to practice and practicing in this state for treatment of the injury. By mutual agreement, the employee may have the choice of any qualified practitioner not licensed in this state. In case of emergency, the employer may arrange for treatment without tendering a choice. After the emergency has passed the employee shall be given his or her choice of attending practitioner at the earliest opportunity. The employee has the right to a 2nd choice of attending practitioner on notice to the employer or its insurance carrier. Any further choice shall be by mutual agreement. Partners and clinics are considered to be one practitioner. Treatment by a practitioner on referral from another practitioner is considered to be treatment by one practitioner.

SB762,43 Section 43. 102.61 (1g) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB762,21,5 102.61 (1g) (c) On receiving notice that he or she is eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services under 29 USC 701 to 797a, an employee shall provide the employer with a written report from a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner stating the employee's permanent work restrictions. Within 60 days after receiving that report, the employer shall provide to the employee in writing an offer of suitable employment, a statement that the employer has no suitable employment for the employee, or a report from a physician, chiropractor, psychologist, or podiatrist , or primary spinal care practitioner showing that the permanent work restrictions provided by the employee's practitioner are in dispute and documentation showing that the difference in work restrictions would materially affect either the employer's ability to provide suitable employment or a vocational rehabilitation counselor's ability to recommend a rehabilitative training program. If the employer and employee cannot resolve the dispute within 30 days after the employee receives the employer's report and documentation, the employer or employee may request a hearing before the division to determine the employee's work restrictions. Within 30 days after the division determines the employee's work restrictions, the employer shall provide to the employee in writing an offer of suitable employment or a statement that the employer has no suitable employment for the employee.

SB762,44 Section 44. 118.15 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,21,18 118.15 (3) (a) Any child who is excused by the school board because the child is temporarily not in proper physical or mental condition to attend a school program but who can be expected to return to a school program upon termination or abatement of the illness or condition. The school attendance officer may request the parent or guardian of the child to obtain a written statement from a licensed physician, primary spinal care practitioner, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist, psychologist, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner, as defined in s. 255.06 (1) (d), or certified advanced practice nurse prescriber or Christian Science practitioner living and residing in this state, who is listed in the Christian Science Journal, as sufficient proof of the physical or mental condition of the child. An excuse under this paragraph shall be in writing and shall state the time period for which it is valid, not to exceed 30 days.

SB762,45 Section 45. 118.29 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,21,22 118.29 (1) (e) "Practitioner" means any physician, dentist, optometrist, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse prescriber, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner licensed in any state.

SB762,46 Section 46. 146.37 (1g) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,22,14 146.37 (1g) Except as provided in s. 153.76, no person acting in good faith who participates in the review or evaluation of the services of health care providers or facilities or the charges for such services conducted in connection with any program organized and operated to help improve the quality of health care, to avoid improper utilization of the services of health care providers or facilities or to determine the reasonable charges for such services, or who participates in the obtaining of health care information under subch. I of ch. 153, is liable for any civil damages as a result of any act or omission by such person in the course of such review or evaluation. Acts and omissions to which this subsection applies include, but are not limited to, acts or omissions by peer review committees or hospital governing bodies in censuring, reprimanding, limiting or revoking hospital staff privileges or notifying the medical examining board or podiatry affiliated credentialing board, or spinal medicine affiliated credentialing board under s. 50.36 or taking any other disciplinary action against a health care provider or facility and acts or omissions by a medical director in reviewing the performance of emergency medical technicians or ambulance service providers.

SB762,47 Section 47. 146.81 (1) (ev) of the statutes is created to read:

SB762,22,17 146.81 (1) (ev) A primary spinal care practitioner licensed under subch. VIII of ch. 448.

SB762,48 Section 48. 146.89 (1) (r) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,22,24 146.89 (1) (r) 1. Licensed as a physician under ch. 448, a dentist or dental hygienist under ch. 447, a registered nurse, practical nurse, or nurse-midwife under ch. 441, an optometrist under ch. 449, a physician assistant under ch. 448, a pharmacist under ch. 450, a chiropractor under ch. 446, a podiatrist under subch. IV of ch. 448, a primary spinal care practitioner licensed under subch. VIII of ch. 448, or a physical therapist under subch. III of ch. 448.

SB762,49 Section 49. 146.903 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,23,3 146.903 (1) (b) "Clinic" means a place, other than a residence or a hospital, that is used primarily for the provision of nursing, medical, podiatric, spinal medicine, as defined in s. 448.971 (5), dental, chiropractic, or optometric care and treatment.

SB762,50 Section 50. 146.997 (1) (d) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,23,7 146.997 (1) (d) 4. A physician, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, perfusionist, physical therapist, or physical therapist assistant licensed under ch. 448.

SB762,51 Section 51. 155.01 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,23,19 155.01 (7) "Health care provider" means a nurse licensed or permitted under ch. 441, a chiropractor licensed under ch. 446, a dentist licensed under ch. 447, a physician, physician assistant, perfusionist, podiatrist, primary spinal care practitioner, physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, or occupational therapy assistant licensed under ch. 448, a person practicing Christian Science treatment, an optometrist licensed under ch. 449, a psychologist licensed under ch. 455, a partnership thereof, a corporation or limited liability company thereof that provides health care services, a cooperative health care association organized under s. 185.981 that directly provides services through salaried employees in its own facility, or a home health agency, as defined in s. 50.49 (1) (a).

SB762,52 Section 52. 180.1901 (1m) (bw) of the statutes is created to read:

SB762,23,22 180.1901 (1m) (bw) Spinal medicine affiliated credentialing board under subch. VIII of ch. 448.

SB762,53 Section 53. 185.981 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,24,4 185.981 (1) Cooperative associations may be organized under this chapter without capital stock, primarily to establish and operate in the state or in any county or counties in the state nonprofit plans or programs for health care, including hospital care, for their members and their members' dependents through contracts with physicians, medical societies, chiropractors, optometrists, dentists, dental societies, hospitals, podiatrists, primary spinal care practitioners, and others.

SB762,54 Section 54. 185.981 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,24,22 185.981 (2) A cooperative association organized under this section shall operate only on a cooperative nonprofit basis and for the primary purpose of establishing, maintaining, and operating a voluntary nonprofit health, dental, or vision care plan or plans, or for constructing, operating, and maintaining nonprofit hospitals or other facilities whereby health care, including hospital, dental, or vision care, is provided to its members and to other persons or groups of persons who become subscribers to the plans, subject to s. 185.982 (2), under contracts that provide access to medical, surgical, chiropractic, vision, dental, or hospital care, other health care services, appliances, and supplies, by physicians and surgeons licensed and registered under ch. 448, podiatrists licensed under ch. 448, primary spinal care practitioners licensed under ch. 448, optometrists licensed under ch. 449, chiropractors licensed under ch. 446, dentists licensed under ch. 447, and other health care providers in their offices, in hospitals, in other facilities, and in the home. Nothing in this subsection precludes a cooperative association organized under this section from owning an interest in other entities for enhancing or improving member services or for investment or other purposes, as long as the association's primary purpose remains as provided in this subsection.

SB762,55 Section 55. 185.981 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB762,25,7 185.981 (3) No cooperative association organized primarily for the purposes provided in ss. 185.981 to 185.983 shall be prevented from contracting with any hospital in this state for the rendition of such hospital care as is included within the cooperative association's plans because the hospital participates in a plan of any other cooperative association, or in a plan organized and operated under ss. 148.03 and 613.80. No hospital may discriminate against any physician and surgeon, chiropractor, dentist, or podiatrist, or primary spinal care practitioner with respect to the use of the hospital's facilities by reason of his or her participation in a health care plan of a cooperative.