Podiatrist-patient privilege, immunity exemption for podiatrists providing emergency care at athletic events, allowing podiatrists to determine an illness or injury and complete forms for the purpose of granting assistance to needy veterans, allowing podiatrists to determine disability for the purpose of issuing certain hunting permits, cooperatives organized to provide sickness care, the Podiatrists Affiliated Credentialing Board, allowing podiatrists to certify driver school instructors' physical fitness, allowing Medical Assistance recipients to freely choose among podiatrists, and giving equal weight to certifications of disability by podiatrists for insurance purposes

Under current law, the Department of Transportation (DOT) issues driver school instructors' licenses. DOT may not issue an instructor's license to an applicant unless the applicant submits a statement completed by a physician or another specified medical care provider certifying that the applicant is physically fit to teach driving. This bill adds podiatrists to the list of medical care providers that may certify to DOT that an applicant is physically fit to teach driving.

Under current law, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) may grant assistance to needy veterans who have suffered a loss of income due to illness, injury, or natural disaster. By rule, DVA has defined an illness or injury as a physical or mental health problem that is diagnosed by a physician, dentist, optometrist, or audiologist. This bill expands the health care providers who can diagnose an illness or injury for DVA purposes to include podiatrists.

Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is authorized to issue certain hunting permits that authorize hunting by persons who have a physical disability (specialized permits). Among the privileges granted by these specialized permits is the privilege of hunting with assistance rendered by another person. In order to obtain a specialized permit from DNR, a person must submit an application furnished by DNR that includes a statement or report prepared and signed by a licensed physician or chiropractor verifying that the applicant is physically disabled. A person may also obtain a specialized permit even if the person would otherwise be ineligible for a specialized permit if DNR, based on the recommendation of a licensed physician or chiropractor, determines that the issuance of the permit complies with the intent of the law. This bill authorizes an applicant for a specialized permit to submit a statement, report, or recommendation from a licensed podiatrist, as well as from a physician or chiropractor, in support of a specialized permit application.

This bill changes the name of the Podiatrists Affiliated Credentialing Board to the Podiatry Affiliated Credentialing Board.

Current law permits the organization of a cooperative to provide sickness care through contracts with physicians, medical societies, chiropractors, optometrists, dentists, dental societies, hospitals, and others. This bill adds podiatrists to the list of enumerated providers of sickness care.

Under current law, life insurers, health insurers, and disability insurers are required to give equal weight to certifications of disability by physicians and by chiropractors, with respect to matters within the scope of the professional license of each. This bill requires those insurers also to give equal weight to certifications of disability by podiatrists with respect to matters within the scope of their professional licenses.

Current law provides that a person who is eligible for health care coverage under the Medical Assistance (MA) program may, unless limited by the Department of Health Services, which administers MA, use the provider of his or her choice, and lists the types of providers for which the person has free choice. The list includes physicians, chiropractors, dentists, and pharmacists. This bill adds podiatrists to the list of providers for which a person who is eligible for MA has free choice.