The increase in the number of insured individuals due to the Affordable Care Act has led hospitals and medical practices to increase their use of non-physician clinicians to lessen the burden created by the increase. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are increasingly deployed to address a host of issues, from the inadequate number of primary care physicians and underserved populations with greater needs for primary care services to demands for cost effectiveness and greater patient satisfaction. There are major differences between state laws governing nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Health systems, other health care facilities, and medical practices need to understand these differences if they wish to make use of these and other ancillary providers (APs). Ancillary Providers in Health Care: A Primer can help guide you as you advise your clients on their state's regulations.

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