What 2012’s Medical Assistant Legislation (SB 6237) Means for Your Clients

December 3, 2012
by NWSidebar

iStock_000008557918Small200In 2012, the Legislature passed legislation to regulate medical assistants at both the certification and registration levels. (The medical assistant legislation does not go into effect until July 1, 2013.) Medical assistants will replace the current “health care assistant” profession. The main advocate for the legislation was the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA). For a variety of reasons, WSMA found the existing health care assistant statutes and rules lacking in clarity and breadth.

Under the new law, there are 2 main types of medical assistants: 1) medical assistants-certified (those who have completed an approved training program and passed an approved test), and 2) medical assistants-registered (those with varied training who have been endorsed by the practice for which they work to be competent to perform certain functions.) Currently credentialed health care assistants in categories C, D, E, and F will be grandfathered in as medical assistants-certified. The scope of practice for medical assistants-registered is narrower than for medical assistants-certified. Currently credentialed health care assistants in categories A and B will be grandfathered as medical assistant-phlebotomists. Currently credentialed health care assistants in category G will be grandfathered as medical assistant-hemodialysis technicians.

The new law also recognizes that there are other assistive personnel, who often work for specialists, who have extensive on-the-job training and may not qualify for the medical assistant-certified category. In addition, the medical assistant-certified and registered categories do not allow the performance of some tasks currently performed by specialty personnel. Currently, the various Department of Health (DOH) boards and commissions are submitting information explaining those tasks that specialty assistants perform that are not covered by the medical assistant-certified scope of practice.

Provider groups are working with each other and representatives from the Legislature to find a legislative solution for specialty assistive personnel.

There are many questions surrounding the implementation of the medical assistant legislation, including whether it will affect front-office clerical staff. The Department of Health is in the process of writing rules on the medical assistant legislation. You can request to be added to the rules review list here.

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About the Author

Martin Ziontz. Seattle lawyer Martin L. Ziontz is a graduate of the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, (1976) and Northwestern University in Chicago (1980). Since that time, he has engaged in a wide array of litigation-based legal matters which include insurance and business litigation, construction litigation, automobile and premises liability claims, and healthcare law.

He was selected as a member of International Who’s Who in 2001. He was also elected by his peers as a Washington Super Lawyer in 2003 by Law and Politics magazine. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and admitted to practice in Federal Court in Washington, Oregon, Michigan, and Texas; the Ninth Circuit and Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeal; and the United States Supreme Court.

Martin has published articles on commercial disputes and litigating cases under the law of other nations. He takes great pride and pleasure in helping his clients navigate through complex legal matters, explaining their options and leading them to a successful conclusion.

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9 thoughts on “What 2012’s Medical Assistant Legislation (SB 6237) Means for Your Clients”

  1. Darlynn Byrd Taylor

    I have been a Medical Assistant for over 20 years how do I get grandfathered in ?

  2. Latosha

    How do I get grandfathered in as a Medical Assistant Certified? I graduated Medical Assistant school in 2007. If there’s a form i need to fill out please let me know where to download it.

    Thank you

  3. Diane

    A few co-workers and myself have been at our medical center for around 8 years working with our doctors, is there any way for us to be grandfathered in as medical assistants? To get a certificate? Also if not, is there any way to challenge the medical assistant test , just the medical part, not the clerical side?

  4. Lisa Doney

    Hi my name is lisa, i have been a cna for 20 years. I worked for the state of washington for 2 years. I was hurt and my license lapsed in 2013. Didnt think i was going to be caregiving ever again. Can i have my license reinstated or do i have to take the class over again? I am currently enrolled at Ashford University where i will be working towards my bachlors degree in health and human resources.

  5. Tracey

    I have been a MA for 21years. I heard that I have been grandfathered in as a certified medical assistant. I live in Cleveland Ohio. I was looking into getting certified but there are subjects on the test that I did not take in school. Does anyone know if I am grandfathered in as a CMA?

  6. robin

    I was a certified EMT for over 25 years and I took the Medical Assistant course, the instructor mentioned the grandfather clause. Am I covered by this

  7. Denise Bull

    I have been working as a Medical Assistant for 15 years can I be grandfathered in and if so how do I do that. Please help

  8. Angela Laganelli

    There is no direct indication for any certification agency that qualify an individual for M/A certified Classification. Also, how do get further updates to this law? Do you see this legislation setting any Precedent in the USA.
    Angela Laganelli
    Advocates for the Medical Assistant Profession

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