SB 2048

In the trial of any civil suit, present law provides that there must be received in evidence if offered on behalf of any party, opinions as to medical findings as a result of treatment or examination of the party, whether such opinions are based on subjective or objective findings . S uch opinions are those of persons otherwise qualified as medical experts. This bill authorizes a licensed nurse practitioner or licensed physician assistant who is properly qualified as an expert under the Tennessee Rules of Evidence to testify as to the diagnosis of an injury or condition; the reasonable and necessary medical care provided; the reasonableness of the associated treatment charges; the medical cause of an injury, condition, or impairment; and any additional matters within the scope of expert testimony ordinarily permitted to a physician under the Tennessee Rules o f Evidence in any civil action other than a health care liability action or a workers' compensation claim. Further, this bill does not permit the inclusion of an advance practice registered nurse or physician assistant on any workers' compensation panel, or the provision of any testimony by an advance practice registered nurse or physician assistant in a workers' compensation case re garding the injured worker's medical impairment rating or disability rating, or whether the injury is work-related.