Nevada APRN's and Home Health

Dear APRN Colleagues:

We have received guidance from the Nevada State Board of Nursing relative to APRN's and ordering home health. Below is an exerpt from the guidance.

It is current Nevada law that APRNs can certify/recertify home health in Nevada.  NRS 632.237 provides, in pertinent part:

2.  An advanced practice registered nurse may:

      (a) Engage in selected medical diagnosis and treatment;

      (b) Order home health care for a patient;

      (c) If authorized pursuant to NRS 639.2351 and subject to the limitations set forth in subsection 3, prescribe controlled substances, poisons, dangerous drugs and devices; and

      (d) Provide his or her signature, certification, stamp, verification or endorsement when a signature, certification, stamp, verification or endorsement by a physician is required, if providing such a signature, certification, stamp, verification or endorsement is within the authorized scope of practice of an advanced practice registered nurse.

An advanced practice registered nurse shall not engage in any diagnosis, treatment or other conduct which the advanced practice registered nurse is not qualified to perform.

This language was added to Chapter 632 of the NRS during the 2019 Nevada Legislative Session. 

With regards to clarification regarding the Nevada State Board of Nursing’s possible recommendation about implementation of the CARES ACT, the CARES Act is a federal action that controls federal money.  A cursory review of section 3708 of the CARES Act reveals the federal government added nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists to the list of providers that could be paid for services furnished to Medicare and Medicaid patients. The specifics for that billing is not within the purview of the Nevada State Board of Nursing as a State agency.  The Nevada State Board of Nursing has no position regarding how or if the federal government will pay an APRN for specific services provided.  If you seek clarification on the CARES Act, I would recommend you to contact HHS and Medicare/Medicaid.

Have a great day, and NAPNA hopes all is well with your practice. We look forward to continuing our educational efforts and supporting you during the upcoming legislative session.

Best,

Cindy Pitlock DNP, CNM, APRN

President, NAPNA