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CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIAN SCOPE OF PRACTICE

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AMENDMENTS

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2018 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Evan J. Vickers

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House Sponsor: ____________

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8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This bill modifies provisions regarding chiropractic physicians.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This bill:
13          ▸     modifies the services that a chiropractic physician may provide to a patient.
14     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
15          None
16     Other Special Clauses:
17          None
18     Utah Code Sections Affected:
19     AMENDS:
20          58-73-601, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 280
21     

22     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
23          Section 1. Section 58-73-601 is amended to read:
24          58-73-601. Scope of practice for a chiropractic physician.
25          (1) A chiropractic physician licensed under this chapter may engage in the practice of
26     chiropractic as defined in Section 58-73-102 in accordance with the following standards.
27          (2) A chiropractic physician may:
28          (a) examine, diagnose, and treat only within the scope of chiropractic as described in
29     this Subsection (2);
30          (b) order diagnostic evaluations, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and functional
31     evaluation procedures;
32          [(b)] (c) use x-ray for diagnostic purposes only;
33          [(c)] (d) administer:
34          (i) physical agents, including light, heat, cold, water, air, sound, compression,
35     electricity, and electromagnetic radiation except gamma radiation; and
36          (ii) physical activities and devices, including:
37          (A) exercise with and without devices;
38          (B) joint mobilization;
39          (C) mechanical stimulation;
40          (D) postural drainage;
41          (E) traction;
42          (F) positioning;
43          (G) wound debridement, cleansing, and dressing changes;
44          (H) splinting;
45          (I) training in locomotion and other functional activities with and without assistance
46     devices; and
47          (J) correction of posture, body mechanics, and gait;
48          [(d)] (e) administer the following topically applied medicinal agents, including
49     steroids, anesthetics, coolants, and analgesics for wound care and for musculoskeletal
50     treatment, including their use by iontophoresis or phonophoresis;
51          (f) possess, administer, and prescribe substances of natural origin, including:
52          (i) vitamins;
53          (ii) minerals;
54          (iii) amino acids;
55          (iv) enzymes;
56          (v) antioxidants;
57          (vi) cellular components or extracts;
58          (vii) botanicals;
59          (viii) phytonutrients; and
60          (ix) substances listed in a nationally or generally recognized compendium of
61     homeopathic drugs;
62          [(e)] (g) treat pain incident to major or minor surgery, cancer, obstetrics, or x-ray
63     therapy;
64          [(f)] (h) utilize, prescribe, and dispense any durable medical equipment, orthotics,
65     braces, rehabilitative appliances, immobilizing appliances, casts, and supports for support
66     purposes, but may not set displaced bone fractures;
67          [(g)] (i) inform the patient of possible side effects of medication and recommend
68     referral to the prescribing practitioner;
69          [(h)] (j) provide instruction in the use of physical measures, activities, and devices for
70     preventive and therapeutic purposes;
71          [(i)] (k) provide consulting, educational, and other advisory services for the purposes of
72     reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, movement dysfunctions, bodily
73     malfunction, and pain;
74          [(j)] (l) treat a human being to assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical
75     disability, movement dysfunction, bodily malfunction, and pain resulting from disorders,
76     congenital and aging conditions, injury, and disease; and
77          [(k)] (m) administer, interpret, and evaluate tests.
78          (3) A chiropractic physician may not:
79          (a) perform incisive surgery;
80          (b) administer drugs or medicines for which an authorized prescription is required by
81     law except as provided in [Subsection] Subsections (2)[(d)](e) and (f);
82          (c) treat cancer;
83          (d) practice obstetrics;
84          (e) prescribe or administer x-ray therapy; or
85          (f) set displaced fractures.
86          (4) A chiropractic physician shall assume responsibility for his examinations,
87     diagnoses, and treatment.
88          (5) Nothing in this section authorizes a chiropractic physician to prescribe, possess for
89     dispensing, dispense, purchase without a prescription written by a licensed and authorized
90     practitioner, or administer, except under [Subsection] Subsections (2)[(d)](e) and (f), a drug
91     requiring a prescription to dispense, under Title 58, Chapter 37, Utah Controlled Substances
92     Act, or Title 58, Chapter 17b, Pharmacy Practice Act.
93          (6) Only primary health care providers licensed under this title as osteopathic
94     physicians, physicians and surgeons, naturopaths, and chiropractic physicians, may diagnose,
95     adjust, manipulate, or therapeutically position the articulation of the spinal column to the extent
96     permitted by their scopes of practice.




Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel