Starting after December 31, 2026, MD and DO physicians who perform surgeries at an outpatient surgical center must give that center their call-coverage plan every year, including hospital call coverage if applicable, and update it as changes are made, or it counts as unprofessional conduct.
Official title: physicians; surgical centers; call coverage
- Effective from and after December 31, 2026
What changes
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NowA physician (MD) who performs surgeries at an outpatient surgical center commits unprofessional conduct if the physician fails to give the center the physician's call-coverage plan each year, including hospital call coverage if applicable.
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NowThe same rule applies to osteopathic physicians (DOs) who perform surgeries at an outpatient surgical center.
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NowThese physicians must give the center an updated call-coverage plan, including hospital call coverage if applicable, as changes are made.
Who it affects
- Medical doctors (MDs) who perform surgeries at outpatient surgical centers
- Osteopathic physicians (DOs) who perform surgeries at outpatient surgical centers
- Outpatient surgical centers
- Arizona Medical Board
- Arizona board that licenses osteopathic physicians
What you need to do
Physicians who perform surgeries at an outpatient surgical center must give the center their call-coverage plan each year, including hospital call coverage if applicable, and an updated plan as changes are made. Others: Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- What a call-coverage plan must contain
- What 'outpatient surgical center' includes
- What form the plan must take or how it must be delivered
- What date each year the annual plan is due
- What the surgical center must do with the plan
- What specific discipline a physician could face for not providing it
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.